Michelle and I got to see another Australian movie, Animal Kingdom, before its release thanks to the Contagious Network. Unlike the previous film, The Boys Are Back, this one was actually pretty good. It is a rather harrowing tale of the life of one teenager in a family of criminals. In the manner of all good thrillers, it keeps the tension high throughout, and in several scenes I was cringing with anticipation. A scene early on, when a couple of cops are investigating a stolen car, is masterful in how it builds suspense despite the inevitableness of the conclusion.
It’s a tough one to recommend, though, as the film has anything but a happy ending. There was no other way that it could end, really, but it is bleak and relentless, and you manage to walk away from the cinema feeling somehow less safe than before.
The acting is great (the guy playing uncle Pope is farking creepy) and the story is tight (the only bad cliche in the film is dealt with quickly and soon forgotten). It does all the things right that The Boys Are Back did wrong. As a great example of Australian cinema, I fully support it and you should too. If you do go see it, just be ready to go to some dark places.
