Animal Kingdom

Is there an Australian New Wave brewing? Between this and The Square, there's definitely something going on down under. Both are near the top of my 2010 list. I loved this movie and am convinced I'd like it even more upon a second viewing.

The humor is so dark, the violence so realistic and sudden, the intricacies so fascinating, the family dynamics so crazy - I really don't think I've seen a movie quite like this.

Yet, it shouldn't be that original - it's just a movie about criminals. But it is so much more than that. I listened to an interview with the director who described this film as being like the last 1/3 of Goodfellas - meaning this whole film is about the depressing downfall of the glory days. Yet, it is hard to imagine this family ever really reaching great heights. If anything it kind of reminded me a bit of the messed up family in The Fighter.

And speaking of messed up moms, Jackie Weaver's performance is even better than Barbara Hershey's in Black Swan and Melissa Leo's in The Fighter. Her performance kind of reminded me of the crazed, devoted mom in the Korean film Mother.

One suggestion though - watch this film with the subtitles on.

Directed by David Michod
2010
Blu-ray