Animal Kingdom or Silent but Deadly

    Quiet but effective Australia's 2010 indie that could, Animal Kingdom stands out with a smart script, a fabulous cast, a strong score and a seducing pace that moves languidly throughout the tale of a crime family struggling to survive against the blood hungry armed robbery forces.  Obviously not an American thriller, Animal Kingdom relies on searing looks as opposed to car chases, on imagery instead of seizure inducing flashes of action. The great thing about foreign films is discovering a new batch of artists to get excited about, this film being no exception with a sampling of Australia's best (including a sturdy performance by more well known Guy Pearce).  Ben Mendelsohn is a powerfully creepy predator playing Pope who seemingly rules the pride stalking his way through scenes like some alley cat you wouldn't want to come to terms with.  His leering sideways glances chilled me to the core, ready to pounce, kill and capable of even more, which left almost too much to the imagination and in a way that added to the thrilling quality of the film.  Jacki Weaver plays the devoted den mother disarmingly endearing with the cold-blooded manner of a lioness that hunts to kill.  Her presence is minimal yet strong and had me one moment wondering what it was that got her nominated for an Oscar and then all of a sudden giggling at the sheer genius of a simple lift of her eyebrow and the entire story it tells of a woman who will stop at nothing to protect her sons and doing so in a behavior that seems natural, stirring her tea amidst the primeval chaotic wilderness her family has created with their crooked ways.  Joel Edgerton as the handsome ill fated, wrong crowd right guy Barry, Sullivan Stapleton as the tough yet fragile brawn, and Laura Wheelwright as the girlfriend who gets unfortunately caught up with the family drama were also compelling in their supporting roles.  Narrator and lead, Jay played by James Frecheville seemed plucked from the streets of any neighborhood at any time, perfect casting for a character that uses a sort of hypnotic monotony to tell its tale in this non assuming thriller that almost allow you to create your own emotional backdrop without forcing overt violence or convoluted plot lines.   He states in the beginning "kids just are where they are and they do whatever they are doing" which simple as it may seem, is a profound description of Animal Kingdom and the family's tale it tells.  Definitely see this unstoppable force about the powerful parallels to a crime family and the eat or be eaten nature of jungle living.