Animal Kingdom

Seventeen years old  James Frecheville moves in with his grandmother in suburban Melbourne following his mother's death from an overdose. Once there he is drawn into the criminal lives of his four uncles and is exposed to the law of the 'Animal Kingdom'; survival of the fittest.

This Australian film won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Festival 2010 and has received high praise from local reviewers. It is cleverly constructed. From the outset a seemingly mundane depiction of a criminal family with little regard for others, I was drawn into the drama as shock turn followed shock turn. By the end, I had been completely seduced by this brilliant film.

Young Frecheville in his first professional acting role is superb and the ensemble cast around him is magnificent; not a weak performer amongst them.

The subject matter of the film is not pleasant but the overall impact is stunning.