Ron Gilbert

Director David Michod rules in Animal Kingdom 

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

The words that stick out in my mind are complexities andpreparation. Everybody wants to make their movie so they get a camera and startshooting their script. Very different with this awesome feature film debut ofthis extremely talented writer /director. So 10 years ago this journey began ashis 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) washis first and only choice  to play themom to this family and this well known Australian actress’s name should be onthe ballots during the awards season as will Ben Mendelsohn( Andrew “Pope” Cody).Add Guy Pearce (Detective Nathan Leckie) to the award listsas he deserves extra special mention because he always shows us truth in hiswork and this time he connects us in a very special way as a cop who deals withthis 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 lawenforcement officer in this bizarre situation and the realities of the job willtouch the pulse of all police official but Pearce goes much deeper. On the deepnote, Frecheville has that in spades without saying much and you just see it inhis facial expressions and body language and this is his feature debut. JamesDean is smiling down on himOf course these fine performances are enhanced by the ensembleof talented actors like  JoelEdgerton(Barry “Baz” Brown) ,Sullivan Stapleton(Craig Cody),Luke Ford (DarrenCody),Dan Wyllie (Ezra White) ,Anthony Hayes(Detective Justin Norris),Laura Wheelwright(Nicky),MirrahFoulkes(Catherine Brown),Susan Prior(Alicia Henry),Justin Rosniak(DetectiveRandall Roache),Clayton Jacobson(Gus Emery),Anne Lise Phillips(BarristerJustine Hopper) who fit into their roles as if they were the real deal thanksto casting director Kristy McGregor.This film is not just another crime drama, but an insightinto the darker side of life in the Melbourneunderworld 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 aperceptive producer like Liz Watts who made sure that Michod’s vision would berevealed and the team assembled with Luke Doolan (Editor) who advises andcoordinates the cut with the director, Jo Ford (Production Designer) who paintsthe tapestry and the rich score by Anthony Partos (Composer) which keeps outblood pumping.All I can say is that director David Michod’s Animal Kingdommade the 10 year wait well worth it. Sony Pictures Classics USA release date isAugust 13, 2010