2010. Dir: David Michod. Starring: James Frecheville, Joel Edgerton, Guy Pearce, Jacki Weaver and Ben Mendelsohn. ●●●●○
From Peter Weir to Gillian Armstrong to Nicole Kidman to Heath Ledger there is a proud heritage of Australian talent making it big in America. If there's any justice in the world of the cast and crew, as well as the director, of Animal Kingdom are about to join that lofty list of ex-pats. It's a movie that acts as a calling card, as well as being a wonderful achievement in itself.
The plot contains all the ingredients required for a modern tragedy in it's very literal sense. The characters manouvre themselves as driven by their flaws, but their passivity or otherwise, into doomed yet predicatable avenues. Essentially the movie looks inside a Melbourne-based crime family, as viewed through the semi-innocent eyes of newcomer James Frecheville. As "J" he moves in with his grandmother "Smurf" Cody just as the armed robbery squad begin to tighten their grip on his wayward uncles.
I won't say any more about the plot, it contains enough twists and turns to keep you guessing which of the family memebers will make it to the end credits, and to doubt the motivations and loyalties of the majority of the players.
The cast do a wonderful job. Jacki Weaver, as the dominant matriarch, is an incredible presence, certainly deserving of her Oscar nomination. Like Richard III she can "smile, and murder whilst she smiles", showing the determined strength of a lioness favouring her cubs. James Frecheville makes a odd decision in the lead role, virtually disappearing into himself, underplaying every line and with barely a flicker of emotion on his face. It's brave but it works, as an audience surrogate he displays the awe and teenage emptyness that resonates in the role.
The brothers - Ben Mendlesohn's brooding, violent "pope", Sullivan Stapleton's drug addled Craig and Luke Ford's out-of-his-depth Darren - are all uniquely drawn with strong characterisations. As drama goes you understand the motivations and consistency of each of their journeys. Only Guy Pearce as the stoic and sermonising cop out to get them gives a throwaway performance.
Of course that's likely, this is a story about the changing dynamics of a family, admittedly one deeply involved in reckless criminal behaviour. The writing, also by director David Michod, superbly outlines the depths to which the characters are able to go and the principles they are prepared to betray.
Not that there aren't issues with the piece, the 80's synth score is often over-bearing and there's an unfortunately tendency to add slow-motion to underscore depth in the action, however these are certainly forgiveable flaws.
Michod is the real hero of the piece, and will certainly be picked up by Hollywood for bigger projects in the future. I just hope that he can retain the control over the content that has made his debut so electrifying. Unmissable entertainment.
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
Animal Kingdom
Saturday, 26 February 2011
Are you a strong creature? (Out this week - 25/02/11)
We're back to the normal pace this week with seven hig profile releaes, and a couple of Bollywood entries. Although the box office lead could easily go to any one of the options available the film of the week remains Oscar-nominated Aussie entry Animal Kingdom.
Animal Kingdom
Family crime drama from Oz, with newcomer James Frecheville getting overwhelmed by the criminal fraternity he finds himself drawn into led by his violent, unpredictable uncle Ben Mendelsohn and his Oscar-nominated grandmother Jacki Weaver.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●●●●○
Howl
James Franco proves he's no one trick pony with his extraordinary performance as beat poet Allen Ginsberg, however movies are really the best way to present poetry and despite the best efforts of a supporting cast including Jeff Daniels and David Strathairn and animated sequences to illustrate the literary illusions it may be best to just go to the page.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
The Rite
It's had dreadful write-ups and has taken a paltry $30m in the US in spite of hitting the top of the box office on it's opening weekend, that said there must be mileage in watching Anthony Hopkins hamming it up as a priest in constant battle with the Devil.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Drive Angry
Nicolas Cage, and his latest crime against hair styling, escapes from hell (wtf???!!!) to rescue babies being sacrificed to Satan - nice tie up to The Rite, do I hear a double bill planned - in this pleasantly barmy sounding 3D high octane adventure
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
I am Number Four
It's a film that will probably be remembered more for it's genesis that the half-baked alen invasion meets teen romance plot. Its the first movie from James Fry's publishing house whoich sounds a little like the Mills and Boon writing model for stories designed for film adaptations. There needs to be better quality control though.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
No Strings Attached
Oh, Natalie Portman, what have you done. Released in mid Oscar voting season this turkey about a fuck buddy relationship developed with Ashton Kutcher may just cost her the golden statue. Kevin Kline also stars.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Satrangee Parachute
Bollywood kids comic-drama with five friends lost in Mumbai searching for a parachute - no, really - whilst their family freak out in their small village. Looks like it may appeal to younger children.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Seedan
Sentimental love story between an orphaned servant girl who is taken care of like her daughter by the owner of the house and the owner’s son who comes in to stay for a few days before leaving for USA. Remake of another Bollywood movie.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
West is West
Completely unnecessary and curiously delayed sequel to hit British/Pakistani comedy East is East whish this time sees our wife-beating bigamist father return to Pakistan to show his youngest son about his heritage.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
And here are some minor releases I missed out from last week:
7 Khoon Maaf
Dark comedy about a serial killing/serial marrying woman, a Bollywood anser to Bluebeard perhaps. Irfan Khan has a starring role.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Nadunissi Naaygal
Ugly sounding Tamil/Teluga movie based around the psychotic behaviour of a woman who was sexually abused as a child.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Shine of Rainbows
From the sacharine and gag-reflex inducing title onwards this Irish-Candadian co-productions looks very missable, especially when the imdb plot synopsis goes: A lonely orphan's life is transformed by an extraordinary woman who teaches him to conquer grief and discover the magic in nature and himself. Shudder.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
Tuesday Trailers - Animal Kingdom
It's surprising really that we're going to be treated to most of the Oscar nominated films so early in 2011, remember the American indie that breaks out often doesn't make it to this side of the Atlantic until much later if at all (see Frozen River or The Messenger), however this year all the nominated performances will screen in UK cinemas by the end of February with the last one being Jacki Weaver's horrific mother in the Aussie crime drama from David Michod.
Animal Kingdom is released on 25 February 2011.
