Animal Kingdom
Classic crime-drama about a violent Melbourne family imploding in the iron grip of its pint-sized matriarch. Winner of Grand Jury Prize winner (World Cinema, Drama) at Sundance Film Festival 2010.
"Armed robber Pope Cody (Ben Mendelsohn) is in hiding, on the run from a gang of renegade detectives who want him dead. His business partner and best friend, Barry ‘Baz’ Brown (Joel Endgerton), wants out of the game, recognising that their days of old-school banditry are all but over. Pope’s younger brother, the speed-addicted and volatile Craig Cody (Sullivan Stapleton), is making a fortune in the illicit substances trade – the true cash cow of the modern criminal fraternity. Into this criminal world arrives their nephew, Joshua ‘J’ Cody (James Frecheville). Following the death of his mother, J finds himself living with his hitherto estranged family, under the watchful eye of his doting grandmother, Smurf (Jacki Weaver), mother to the Cody boys. J quickly comes to believe that he is a player but, as he soon discovers, this world is far more menacing than he could ever imagine..." (Official Synopsis)
- Director:
- David Michôd ('Solo')
- Writer:
- David Michôd
- Cast:
- Ben MendelsohnJoel EdgertonGuy PearceLuke FordJames FrechevilleJacki Weaver
Reviews & comments
Brooding, dark and intense
A superbly acted slow-building thriller that dispenses with the melodramatic gangster stereotype and delivers a harrowing and ominous portrait of the underbelly of human nature. Remarkable performances all round. An epic tragedy that has delivered one of the best films of the past twelve months.
Another great Aussie crime story
A riveting look at the inner workings of a Melbourne crime family in freefall as they battle with the local cops. The story follows the introduction of a 17-year-old relative into the family following the death of his mother through a heroin overdose. Bloody - yes, but much more focused on the interactions within the family than the blood and gore. 3.5...
Highlight
The story of a family embedded in drugs, violence, and crime, as told through the eyes of Josh, a 17-year-old brought closer into the family after his mother's overdose. Probably my favourite film of the Film Festival. A really amazing piece of cinema. Certain moments will come out of the blue and will definitely shock. Worth seeing.
The New York Times
pressThe film's depiction of the raw fear lurking below the brothers' braggadocio is the most pronounced emotion in a movie whose focus on the personalities of its criminals suggests an Australian answer to "Goodfellas," minus the wise-guy humor.
Rolling Stone
pressWriter-director David Michôd catches you in a vise and squeezes - hard.
Los Angeles Times
pressFaultlessly acted by top Australian talent, including Guy Pearce, Ben Mendelsohn and Jacki Weaver, Animal Kingdom marries heightened emotionality with cool contemporary style.
Hollywood Reporter
pressA naturalistic drama rich in psychology and attention to details. There's no glamour here, but one false move by anyone can result in death, so tension fills nearly every scene.
Empire Magazine
pressOutstanding. Never before has a tale of crime and punishment been so exquisitely handled by one of our own. This is a towering achievement.
The New York Times
pressThe film's depiction of the raw fear lurking below the brothers' braggadocio is the most pronounced emotion in a movie whose focus on the personalities of its criminals suggests an Australian answer to "Goodfellas," minus the wise-guy humor.
Rolling Stone
pressWriter-director David Michôd catches you in a vise and squeezes - hard.
Los Angeles Times
pressFaultlessly acted by top Australian talent, including Guy Pearce, Ben Mendelsohn and Jacki Weaver, Animal Kingdom marries heightened emotionality with cool contemporary style.
Hollywood Reporter
pressA naturalistic drama rich in psychology and attention to details. There's no glamour here, but one false move by anyone can result in death, so tension fills nearly every scene.
Empire Magazine
pressOutstanding. Never before has a tale of crime and punishment been so exquisitely handled by one of our own. This is a towering achievement.
Brooding, dark and intense
A superbly acted slow-building thriller that dispenses with the melodramatic gangster stereotype and delivers a harrowing and ominous portrait of the underbelly of human nature. Remarkable performances all round. An epic tragedy that has delivered one of the best films of the past twelve months.
Another great Aussie crime story
A riveting look at the inner workings of a Melbourne crime family in freefall as they battle with the local cops. The story follows the introduction of a 17-year-old relative into the family following the death of his mother through a heroin overdose. Bloody - yes, but much more focused on the interactions within the family than the blood and gore. 3.5...
Highlight
The story of a family embedded in drugs, violence, and crime, as told through the eyes of Josh, a 17-year-old brought closer into the family after his mother's overdose. Probably my favourite film of the Film Festival. A really amazing piece of cinema. Certain moments will come out of the blue and will definitely shock. Worth seeing.
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