Review of Animal Kingdom (2010) by Thomas B — 26 Jan 2015

David Michôd's remarkable family crime drama is a beautifully layered and skilfully executed exploration in the complexities of domesticity. As with the best films in this genre, it's the silent spaces that offer the most tension amongst the characters as well as insight into their intricate personalities.

And there's an assortment of them here to sink your teeth into. The boys - men who exude the terrifying extremes of masculinities - are a collective forceful presence. Not since Rowan Woods' 'The Boys' (1998) has their been an antagonist with the intensity of Ben Mendelsohn's 'Pope'.

This is a meaty role for him and Mendelsohn truly commands his scenes as do secondary figures Joel Edgerton, Sullivan Stapleton and Luke Ford, who make up the rest of this unpredictable fraternity. Guy Pearce is also unsurprisingly excellent as the scrupulous cop trying to put an end to their illegal activities.

The plot, however, is driven by a solid James Frecheville as Joshua, through whose eyes we see the narrative. The young actor is extremely engaging and his relationship with grandmother and matriarch 'Smurf' (a compelling Jacki Weaver in a career highlight) is the key factor that sees this fierce family stick together and fall apart.

A resounding success in all departments, 'Animal Kingdom' is a must-see.