Film Review: Animal Kingdom (2010)

A critic of the New York Times suggested this film is “an Australian answer to Goodfellas, minus the wise-guy humor.” I agree with his claim to an extent. Animal Kingdom examines a notorious family of criminals in Melbourne, Australia with true grit. It has been hailed as one of 2010’s best films and received several notable accolades, such as capturing the Sundance Film Festival’s World Cinema Grand Jury Prize for Best Film, dramatic category, and elicitng a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for Jacki Weaver. Yet most American audiences have either never seen or heard of this film, just like its counterpart at Sundance, Winter’s Bone, winner of the American Grand Jury Prize. Animal Kingdom is an ominous, methodically-paced and hypnotic crime drama that features some of the year’s most chilling performances; it may not floor viewers emotionally, but it probably will stir their feelings and stick with them viscerally.