Quick Movie Review: Animal Kingdom (2010)

Animal Kingdom (2010)

Bottomline: Terrific film that deserves your attention.

Where Can I See This Movie? It's available for rent.

Note: Jacki Weaver, who plays the matriarch of the family, was nominated for Best Supporting Actress and lost to Melissa Leo, who played the mom in The Fighter (2010).

Couple of Caveats: The film is Australian. It took me a few minutes to pick up what they were saying and some of the idioms are not familiar. This is a disturbing film with drug use and bursts of violence.

QMR Opinion: This is David Michod's directorial debut for a full length feature film and he absolutely does not disappoint. It helps, of course, to have a strong story (also written by Michod) and incredible acting led by Jacki Weaver, but strong kudos to Joel Edgerton, Sullivan Stapleton, and the uber-creepy Ben Mendelsohn. The two-hour Australian film gives us a glimpse into the lives a crime family that involves three brothers, a friend, and their mom. Their 17-year-old cousin comes to live with them when his mom dies unexpectedly in one of the more surprising scenes in the film. The pacing of the movie is tightly managed by Michod's skillful direction who has no romantic notions about violence -- it's quick, it's explosive and there are no heroes. Guy Pearce, as always, is excellent as a detective trying to "save" young Josh.