Editor

I saw this Sundance 2010 Grand jury prize winner at the www.lafest.com and it rocked. The director David Michod and I met there and last week we had an in depth conversation to be posted in the next issue of www.independentfilmquarterly.net.

The words that stick out in my mind are complexities and preparation. Everybody wants to make their movie so they get a camera and start shooting their script. Very different with this awesome feature film debut of this extremely talented writer /director. So 10 years ago this journey began as his script went through many evolutions and now we have this film to delight in. We discussed the casting process and how Jacki Weaver(Janine “Smurf” Cody) was his first and only choice to play the mom to this family and this well known Australian actress’s name should be on the ballots during the awards season as will Ben Mendelsohn( Andrew “Pope” Cody).
Add Guy Pearce (Detective Nathan Leckie) to the award lists as he deserves extra special mention because he always shows us truth in his work and this time he connects us in a very special way as a cop who deals with this crime family and his good intentions with James Frecheville (Joshua “J” Cody) the nephew who is brought into the family mix. Pearce portrayal of a law enforcement officer in this bizarre situation and the realities of the job will touch the pulse of all police official but Pearce goes much deeper. On the deep note, Frecheville has that in spades without saying much and you just see it in his facial expressions and body language and this is his feature debut. James Dean is smiling down on him
Of course these fine performances are enhanced by the ensemble of talented actors like Joel Edgerton(Barry “Baz” Brown) ,Sullivan Stapleton(Craig Cody),Luke Ford (Darren Cody),Dan Wyllie (Ezra White) ,Anthony Hayes(Detective Justin Norris),Laura Wheelwright(Nicky),Mirrah Foulkes(Catherine Brown),Susan Prior(Alicia Henry),Justin Rosniak(Detective Randall Roache),Clayton Jacobson(Gus Emery),Anne Lise Phillips(Barrister Justine Hopper) who fit into their roles as if they were the real deal thanks to casting director Kristy McGregor.
This film is not just another crime drama, but an insight into the darker side of life in the Melbourne underworld so the film allows you to penetrate this with the skills of Adam Arkapaw (Director of Photography) who gives the film a documentary feel.
Of course, no film could ever reach the cinema without a perceptive producer like Liz Watts who made sure that Michod’s vision would be revealed and the team assembled with Luke Doolan (Editor) who advises and coordinates the cut with the director, Jo Ford (Production Designer) who paints the tapestry and the rich score by Anthony Partos (Composer) which keeps out blood pumping.
All I can say is that director David Michod’s Animal Kingdom made the 10 year wait well worth it. Sony Pictures Classics USA release date is August 13, 2010

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Ron Gilbert
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