David O'ConnellAnimal Kingdom
October 22nd 2010 04:19
Intrigued by Melbourne’s criminal underworld of the 1980’s and in particular the infamous Walsh Steet murders of two young police officers, David Michod felt compelled to weave a fictional story around this senseless act of random violence. After years of countless rewrites the end result was Animal Kingdom (2010), a soon feted project that arrived on home soil off the back of winning a prestigious award at Sundance and strong word of mouth.
Michôd managed to cunningly assemble an impressive cast of familiar faces for this bleak look at the rupturing of a crime family headed by forceful matriarchal figure of Smurf Cody (Jackie Weaver). Her boys are a rough and hardened crew, with 'Pope' (Ben Mendelsohn) forced into hiding whilst level-headed realist Barry (Joel Edgerton), loose cannon Craig (Sullivan Stapleton), and youngest Darren (Luke Ford) put on a brave front at home, all too aware of the intense police scrutiny that constantly keeps them in sight.
Into their midst comes an innocent, Joshua (James Frecheville) or 'J' as he's known, left abandoned after the drug overdose of his mother, Smurf’s only daughter. Softly-spoken and almost numb with incomprehension, he asks his grandmother for a lifeline. He's then welcomed into the lair of the Cody’s, little imagining the rocky road that lays ahead, his innocence about to be consumed by the cancerous loyalty that solders them together.
The shocking murder of one family member sparks a renewed police hatred, inciting the equally confronting murder of the unlucky young officers. A war is incited by this random, cold-blooded retribution, leading to an ever-expanding fracture in the family’s foundation. With numbers and spirits dwindling, will they be able to hold firm? And what worth do they place on the life of J who, although tied to them by blood, will never really be accepted as one of ‘the family’.
There’s no doubting Michôd’s talents as a director; he elicits strong performances from all the established names. I still think, as I did upon first viewing, that Stapleton is the one weak link, his overreaching articulation of rage and grief somehow at odds with the level of intensity maintained by the others. It’s a small quibble however and doesn’t prove detrimental to the film’s overall effectiveness. Guy Pearce stands out in the relatively minor role of the detective whose overseeing of the case is, commendably, a long way from the relentless hound-dogging that turns violent in lesser films of this ilk.
There are inherent weaknesses in the writing that can’t be avoided however, a sense of lazy, formulaic reversions that mildly taint a few scenes. Take for example Craig taking 'J' for a ride and pulling a gun out to threaten a couple of big-mouthed hoons. Full of testosterone-dumping, false bravado, this is the kind of thing we’ve seen a million times; a cliché that acts as nothing more than overripe gesturing despite its obvious intent.
These and other minor shortcomings aside, Michôd’s greatest coup was undoubtedly casting debutant Frecheville as 'J', the outsider through whose eyes we perceive the unfolding drama. We’re usually quick to damn a performance that, superficially, seems so underplayed as to create a void where there might be a characterisation of substance. Yet Frecheville seems to strike a perfect chord with every half-formed mutterance and mute stare of recognition of a world that he can barely grasp except in terms of the rapidly encroaching danger it poses.
In the coming years, Animal Kingdom will probably loose a little of its luster. To some extent it became a victim of the advance hype that swallowed it up even before its local release date arrived. Is it a great film? No, but it’s still a damn fine one and an auspicious debut for a writer/director who will hopefully manage to use it as a springboard to even greater things.
Animal Kingdom has just been released on DVD by Madman Entertainment, with a slew of extras including two commentaries - one with David Michôd, the other with Michôd and members of his cast (some of whom would rather not be there!) - and a 70 minute documentary on the background and making of the film.
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Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
I found none of those elements annoying. And, on the contrary, I thought Stapleton was excellent. I mean, he is the speed freak, after all, so there is a different energy.
My only nit pick was with the James Frechville. He's good, but he's not that good. Not as good as all those around him.
Did you just see this recently? Perhaps the hype had eaten away at your expectation? I saw it early on, knowing very little apart from being Michod's feature debut and the cast. Hype can do terrible things to a movie.
I think Animal Kingdom, once the fervour dies down, will be come to be regarded as an Australian classic. Just like Wolf Creek, Mad Max, Priscilla, Picnic at Hanging Rock, et al
Comment by Matt Shea
Comment by David O'Connell
20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic
Perception is a funny thing - I think Frecheville is that good! Stapleton... I know what you're saying but I just don't buy him, that last scene of his where he's all frenetic and losing is totally unconvincing for me.
I have seen it twice now - back at the time of release and again on DVD. I thought fractionally less of it the second time around, but like I say it's a very, very fine film, just not a great one - for now.
Yeah Matt, it's certainly the best Australian film of this year, no arguments with that, but there's probably 3 or 4 local films from last year that I personally prefer over it - not that all are necessarily better films but ones I'd rather watch than AK again right now. (Last Ride, Samson and Delilah, Balibo, Van Diemen's Land).
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
It's a pity we small cluster of Orble cinephiles aren't in the same city, I'd love to have silly season drinks together.
Comment by David O'Connell
20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
It makes me hard to keep expectations in check for this one.