ANIMAL KINGDOM (18)
D: David Michod
Madman/Screen Australia/Porchlight/Film Victoria/Screen NSW/Fulcrum Media/Showtime Australia/Blue Tongue (Liz Watts)
Australia 🇦🇺 2010
113 mins
Crime/Drama
W: David Michod
DP: Adam Arkapaw
Ed: Luke Doolan
Mus: Antony Partos
Ben Mendelsohn (Andrew 'Pope' Cody), Guy Pearce (Nathan Leckie), Jacki Weaver (Janine 'Smurf' Cody), Joel Edgerton (Barry 'Baz' Brown), Sullivan Stapleton (Craig Cody), Luke Ford (Darren Cody), James Frecheville (Joshua Cody)
Australia's answer to Goodfellas, inspired by a real life criminal gang who operated in Melbourne during the 1990's.
Following the death by overdose of his mother, 17 year old Joshua contacts his estranged grandmother, Janine 'Smurf' Cody to ask for help. He's welcomed into her home where she resides as matriarch of the family.
The murder of two policemen brings sees a war wage between the law and criminal family, sending some of their numbers into exile and bringing others out from hiding.
A sombre, often depressing and shocking watch, featuring some excellent performances from its ensemble cast, some of whom broke into the mainstream due to their work on this film. A solid breakthrough also for writer-director David Michod.
8/10
Award Wins & Nominations:
MILSTEAD MOVIE AWARDS:
Wins: none
Nominations: 3 (Best Actress in a Supporting Role; Best Ensemble Cast; Best Screenplay - Original)
OSCARS:
Wins: none
Nominations: 1 (Best Actress in a Supporting Role)
BAFTAS
Wins: none
Nominations: none
OTHER WINS:
Australian Directors Guild (Best Director); Australian Film Institute (Best Film, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Original Score); Chlotrudis Awards (Best Supporting Actress); Film Critics Circle of Australia (Best Film, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Screenplay); Los Angeles Film Critics (Best Supporting Actress); National Board of Review (Best Supporting Actress); New York Film Critics (Best First Film); San Francisco Film Critics (Best Supporting Actress); Satellite Awards (Best Supporting Actress); Utah Film Critics (Best Supporting Actress)