Reel Live review: 'Animal Kingdom' a stark drama reeking of realism
The title "Animal Kingdom" sounds like a film about survival of the fittest. And it is, except the animals are a dysfunctional family of Australian criminals in Melbourne who suck a quiet young lad named Josh (James Frecheville) into their world.
David Michod's impressive, assured Aussie gangster drama begins with Josh sitting next to his mum, dying of a heroin overdose. He can't quite focus on her because the exciting game show on the TV distracts him.
He eventually goes to live with his grandma Smurf (Jacki Weaver), the queen of criminal enablers whose three sons dabble in everything from drugs to robbery and murder.
"Animal Kingdom" is a stark drama reeking of toxic realism. Josh remains a chilling blank slate, and he is unable to guess the danger he's in, or the danger he puts his new girlfriend (Laura Wheelright) in just by dating her.
As the cops - led by Guy Pearce's strong and principled stock good guy - close in, paranoia poisons the family in slowly escalating increments, until things turn vicious and violent, and Josh is left to fend for himself.
This is a terrific, low-key crime movie, devoid of the romanticism, irony or wisecracks constantly recycled in American gangster films.
Michod rejects the excessive gunplay and quick-edit action sequences popular in Hollywood. He prefers naturalistic violence that erupts quickly and finishes quickly, and makes a single gun shot more powerful than a barrage of bullets.
"Animal Kingdom" opens today at the Century Centre in Chicago, the Evanston CineArts 6 and the Northbrook Court. Rated R for drug use, violence and language. 112 minutes. ★★★½