After the death of his mother, teenager Joshua moves in with the family from which his mother was estranged, a notorious crime family in Melbourne, in which he quickly becomes assimilated and complicit. Stars James Frencheville, Ben Mendehlsohn, Guy Pearce, and Jacki Weaver. Written and directed by David Michôd, and released last year.
A surprisingly compelling crime drama, Animal Kingdom hinged largely upon the depth of newcomer James Frencheville's talent, and he delivers a performance that seems at first fairly simple but becomes a much more demanding role as the film progresses. An added benefit is a very well-written and believable character, who acts like a regular teenager in extraordinary circumstances. The rest of the ensemble cast is exemplary, each member of the family very well-drawn and organic. Mendehlsohn's Andrew is an especially terrifying presence, at once quiet, unassuming, and psychotic, and Weaver's sinister/motherly grandmother is superb. A couple of false endings damage the pace of the film, but the viewer is never disappointed that they stuck around. One of the best films of 2010 I've seen.
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