Review of Animal Kingdom (2010) by Stephen C — 12 Jul 2011

Not your average Gangster film ,this Australian movie shows how the pull of family can lead down dark and sinister roads where death is just a heartbeat away.

Whe young Josh Cody loses his mother to drugs he is taken in by the relatives who prove to be dangerous and very very disturbed.

All Josh's uncles are involved inthe criminal underworld and its not long before Josh sees the full effects of their reign of terror.

The key to this films success is the performances James Frecheville is brilliant as the confused Josh who is forced to choose between family and the law as personified by Guy Pearce who is also outstanding.

Ben Mendelson is electric as the unhinged Pope and Jackie Weaver is simply brilliant as the family matricach who's boys can do no wrong in her eyes even when they are robbing and killing in the family name.

Everything works here and the film is never afraid to pull punches and show the darker side of family life.

It may not be a rip roaring gangster film ,instead its a crime film thats designed to make you think.

Top grade stuff.