Review of Animal Kingdom (2010) by Jc E — 17 Apr 2011
To be honest, I only put this film on my Netflix queue because it was one of the films that was nominated for an Oscar that I hadn't seen. In this case, Best Supporting Actress nominee, Jacki Weaver, was the reason I rented it.
The film is much like an Australian blend of 'The Departed' and 'The Sopranos'. The cast is top-notch, with newcomer James Frenchville leading heavy hitter Aussie costars including Weaver, Joel Edgerton (Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'hoole), Luke Ford (The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor), Ben Mendelsohn (Knowing), Sullivan Stapleton, and Guy Pearce (The King's Speech).
For a rookie, Frenchville gives a great performance. He doesn't try to overact the part of a kid in over his head with an off-kilter mob family, and his performance really gives the film a solid footing.
Weaver's work was rightly noticed by the Academy, in that her performance is steely, calculating, and nuanced to the point where the caring patriarch becomes coldly blood-letting. The film is simple, but a with great narrative structure, a solid pace, and confident direction from relative newcomer David Michod.
It won't be surprising if these new (or at least new to American audiences) talented Aussies find more accessible work in the years to come.
This review of Animal Kingdom (2010) was written by Jc E on 17 Apr 2011.
Animal Kingdom has generally received very positive reviews.
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