Tense is probably the best word to describe this Australian gangster film. The gripping tension is carefully balanced and rarely the story unfolds enough to put you at ease. Its captivating and beautifully shot yet hyper violent at times, with some very threatening characters that are brought to life from such a well rounded cast.
The film opens with Josh (James Frecheville), only 17, sitting beside his mother who has just died from a heroin overdose. He numbly stares at a TV as he pieces together his surroundings. His only family to turn to is his grandmother (Jacki Weaver), who lives at home with her four sons. His grandmother takes him in and we learn why his mother has shielded him from this side of the family for so long. They are a precarius bunch.
Josh is quickly flung into the middle of conflict as his Uncles, Craig (Sullivan Stapleton) and Darren (Luke Ford), who are working with their business partner Barry ‘Baz’ Brown (Joel Edgerton), are all trying to protect their unhinged and extremely dangerous brother Pope (Ben Mendelsohn) from the police. The heat is on Pope and the family are currently in hiding until the police escalate the situation themselves by killing one of the family.
Caught in a world he doesn't belong, Josh quickly has to choose between his own survival and what is right.
From start to finish this film creates and builds in intensity which is embellished by some painfully intimate cinematography and the powerfully resonant soundtrack from composer Jo Ford. Writer/director David Michod handles his material with great confidence and some extremely powerful and real performances from the cast, notably Pope (Ben Mendelsohn), who delivers an enigmatic and fearfully true performance.
Animal Kingdom breaks the mould of crime dramas. Theres no gimics, no wise guy humour. Its involving, gritty and so gut wrenching beautiful in its simple yet realistic feel, yet so powerfully executed..
