It's refreshing to see a film that isn't in any hurry to make an impact on the viewer, letting the atmosphere sink in until you reap the rewards of your uncomfortable patience. Like Joshua (James Frecheville), the film's teenage protagonist, we float numb and passive through the events that occur all around, trying to make as much sense as we can out of the brutal lifestyle we are suddenly thrust into. When Joshua casually calls his estranged grandmother (Jacki Weaver) looking for a place to stay following his mother's overdose, he suddenly finds himself immersed in a family teetering on the brink of the law, with all four of his uncles about to lose their balance. When the homicide of two cops points in the family's direction, Joshua discovers that his presence is meaningful after all as his circumstantial implication forces him to take action and re-assess those he can trust. With a cop (Guy Pearce) on one side and his son-adoring grandmother on the other, Joshua is forced to do a lot of growing up fast, suffering many losses in the process. Thematically somber, the film resonates with authenticity as the actors interact fluidly with one another, the expressiveness of their faces filling in for the sporadic mumbling dialogue; which is understandable considering the shady and hidden nature of most of the picture's sequences. Newcomer Frecheville is convincing as a desensitized youth slowly waking up to the realities of his world to finally step in and take charge of the family that lost its way. His calm demeanor is compensated by Weaver's electric performance that spends most of its time hiding in wait, ready to step in if all goes wrong. As far as first features go, Animal Kingdom is a promising glimpse into Michod's capabilities, hoping he won't make us wait too long for another one.
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