Review: Animal Kingdom

I love it when we get free tickets from See Film First, especially if it's for a film that's got the reviews and plaudits that this film has had on the festival circuit over the last few months.  David Michôd's Animal Kingdom is an Aussie crime thriller telling the story of 17 year old J who moves in with his Gran and her sons.  His uncles are caught up in a murderous tit for tat with the police which leaves J having to decide whether loyalty to his family or working with the police (Mike from Neighbours) will provide his best chance of survival.

It's not hard to see why this film has been so well received.  It's grittily shot and maintains an air of danger throughout, prompting comparisons with Jacques Audiard's A Prophet.  There are times you feel that Michôd could do with reigning it in a little; the use of slow motion in places detracts from its realist style and the over-affectionate behaviour of the matriarchal Smurf (yes, that's the character's name) would be far more interesting if it were more subtly handled.  These are relatively minor quibbles though as is its inconsistent pacing.  It starts off as a potentially interesting gangster flick with entertaining interplay between the family members before changing tack and focusing on J and how he reacts to the changing circumstances.  The last twenty minutes or so feels so rushed that it almost seems that it was an afterthought, even though it ultimately delivers a satisfying resolution.

But it was about fifteen minutes before the end when I realised what the major problem is.  Without giving too much away, J is being led into court for a crucial point in the story which will determine his entire future.  I didn't care what happened to him.  Not a bit.  One of the great achievements of A Prophet is how much you find yourself empathising with Malik in spite of his weaknesses.  All we have with J is a mumbling teenager, occasionally smiling so that we know he approves of something.  Just because he's been dealt a lousy hand isn't reason enough to care.

Despite all this, Michôd is clearly talented with a great deal of potential.  His debut is worth a view when it goes on general release in a couple of weeks.