Review of American Animals (2018) by Reuben M — 05 Nov 2018

I expected some of the elements of this movie: a heist put together by amateurs with more guts than brains, an exploration of young manhood in the post-911 era, a sprinkling of humor and some good performances. I did not expect to find this to be the most exciting and exhilarating film of the year so far. I knew it was a true story, but the ways in which this film shows you that "trueness" are extraordinary and surprisingly moving. There is a daring and a devil-may-care attitude about the filmmaking that makes it seem immediate and hastily shot...but that feeling was only created by careful planning and a director/writer with a vision.

The film tells about 4 young men (I hesitate to call them friends, exactly) who convince themselves that they can pull of a heist. They will rob the library of a Kentucky university, stealing several valuable books, including Audubon's original portfolios. Estimated value north of $12 million. Each (mostly) has misgivings, but each is either spoiled enough or bored enough to sign on. The scenes of planning are often crazily hilarious, and both entertain and make you realize that these guys are very unlikely to pull it off. Each character is well drawn, and the two lead characters are particularly well presented. When the heist itself comes, the tension levels are VERY high. No OCEAN'S movie could ever hope to come near the edge-of-the-seat intensity of the last 30 minutes or more of this film.

The film explores what drives these men to try this: stupidity, eagerness to take themselves to the edge, a conviction that life owes them something and a disdain for society. Mostly there is a pervading sense of entitlement. And after the heist, when the consequences finally sink in and they have to face what they've actually done...there is a strong sense of the self-loathing, guilt, and general "why did I just do that" feeling each shares. It is good stuff. The film is wildly funny at times, terrifically tense at others and never less than 100% gripping. Within one minute of the start, the film had me hooked, and not for a minute did I feel out from under the vision of the filmmakers. Great performances of a great script, and all technical aspects working nearly perfectly to maximize everything the film was trying to say.

Highly, HIGHLY recommended.