Special DVD Independent Film Pick: Academy Award Nominated "Animal Kingdom"

Welcome to the jungle. Animal Kingdom is a survival-of-the-fittest crime action drama where the criminal family of armed robbers who once ruled the mean streets of Melbourne, Australia, now faces a more rabid and ruthless predator—a rogue law enforcement unit who has declared open season on bringing down the criminals by any lawful or lawless means necessary. There is retribution to pay, and most of it is in blood.

When Joshua “J” Cody (James Frenchville) loses his mother from a drug overdose, his grandmother Janine “Smurf” Cody (Jacki Weaver) accepts the teenager into the criminal fold. Joshua tries to acclimate to his new life, but amid growing familial tension, paranoia, and the disintegration of the family enterprise, Joshua struggles to survive without falling prey to either the sociopathic family or the predatory police unit.

James Frenchville gives a competent performance as a teenager figuring out his social loyalties and the values by which he will live his life. Jacki Weaver as the family crime matron, and who was nominated for Academy Award Supporting Actress, is wickedly good. Ben Mendelsohn as Andrew “Pope” Cody turns in an unsettling intense role which chills the blood. Luke Ford and Sullivan Stapleton portray the other Cody siblings Darren and Craig and Joel Edgerton is the criminal associate  Barry “Baz” Brown. Detective Leckie (Guy Pearce), once we get to know his character, portrays a likeable and sincere, if less than idealistic, lawman.

Writer-Director David Michôd cuts his directing debut with Animal Kingdom. The material which, though at times lacks nuance, is frankly stark and brutal. Machôd has made a compelling independent film where the viewer easily feels trap like his youthful lead protagonist Joshua. Animal Kingdom’s resolution, if, a little predictable, is wholly satisfying. In a jungle of great movies, Animal Kingdom should hold its own in your DVD collection by garnering 4 out of 5 stars.