ANIMAL KINGDOM (2010)

Animal Kingdom (2010)

Genre: Crime,Drama,Thriller

Director: David Michôd

Writer: David Michôd (screenplay)

Stars: James Frecheville, Guy Pearce , Joel Edgerton 

My rating 3.5/5

I don’t get to see much of Australian movies. So I have lack of knowledge of Australian film industry over all. However ‘Animal Kingdom’ coming from Australia has its good and bad moments. 

Beaten by heroin addiction of his mother and ultimately her death Josh moves in with his grandmother. As the grandmother’s whole family runs deeps in heroin dealings and gang related crimes, Josh finds his place right in the middle even though he is not exactly the gang material. Getting together with his 3 uncles he seems to be getting deep in to the gang business when some real bad events takes place. As his uncles are falling dead one by one, Josh becomes the victim and ultimately the target. In the mean time a detective who understand Josh’s situation tries to take him in to his custody and out of the hell hole. 

There are great deal of Mafia and gang movies out there. Some are brutal and some are purely thought provoking. ‘Animal Kingdom’ does not fall in both categories comprehensively. It has few brutal and gore moments quite unexpected but the story don’t really dwell upon them. And as a story of criminals it’s quite slow moving. And there are few twists to the story which actually make it interesting. 

In character building ‘Animal Kingdom’ does a decent job. The main character Josh is calm, silent and young even though he is built like an oak tree. All of his characteristics add value to the story and ultimately the ending. The viewer comes to a point where he has to judge if the ending deserved, punishing or reasonable.

‘Animal Kingdom’ is not a great movie. Comparing with City of God or Goodfellas it’s like child play. But it’s a good movie experience. Especially if you’re a Sri Lankan and in the Cricket season you may like a scene or two. Like the one where Big brother asks Josh ‘Who is that player?’ and Josh replies ‘Muralitharan’!

Trailer