“MURDER ON THE PROWL”
Starring: Guy Pearce, Ben Mendelsohn, James Frecheville, Jacki Weaver and Sullivan Stapleton
Directed by: David Michôd
MPAA Rating: R for violence, drug content and pervasive language
Genre: Drama and Crime/Gangster, Australian
Running Time: 1 hr. 52 min
Distributed by: Sony Pictures Classics
By John Delia
Looking for a gritty crime drama that stops at nothing to startle, evoke ire and create tension? Well look no further than Animal Kingdom, a crude tale of a disturbed crime family. The production is very good with terrific acting, direction and cinematography.
The movie centers on Joshua Cody (James Frecheville) a young man who finds himself homeless when his mother dies of an overdose of drugs. His grandmother Smurf (Jacki Weaver) takes him in and introduces Joshua to the uncles his mother has evaded for years, Craig (Sullivan Stapleton), Darren (Luke Ford) and Pope (Ben Mendelsohn). At first naïve Joshua is proud to be a part of the family he never knew and puts up and even joins in with their lawless ways. Later on he finds out that their world of drugs, robbery and retribution is more menacing than he had bargained. When the law closes in on the clan, Joshua has to choose sides.
I liked the tough characters that writer/director David Michôd brings to the screen. Taking strong actors who make danger look easy, he builds tension in most every scene making the plot intimidating yet exciting.
Michôd inserts some masterful support actors like Guy Pierce as the cop who wants to put the Cody’s away for the murderous crimes they are committing. As Nathan Leckie, Pierce hunts down each of the boys while dealing with their overly protective mother (Weaver as Smurf) who has been profiting from their robberies. Michôd guides Leckie and Smuf into a corner where in a great display of acting they go head to head in a very emotionally heated scene in a grocery store.
Michôd uses the camera talents of Adam Arkapaw to create the chilling atmosphere needed to show the intensity of the plot and pull off his great cat and mouse show. He takes his time with close ups so the audience can get the feel of the characters that have been psychologically misguided by their mother.
Animal Kingdom is rated R for violence, drug content and pervasive language.
FINAL ANALYSIS:Â A very good compelling film with strong performances. (4 of 5)