AMERICAN ANIMALS review - Flying high
(Reviewed by Melody Werner)
American Animals is a 2018 film directed and written by Bart Layton. Released by The Orchard and MoviePass in the US, it stars Evan Peters, Blake Jenner, Barry Keoghan, and Jared Abrahamson as four thieves attempting to steal several priceless books from a library special collection guarded by a lone old lady. And no, it's not like she knows kung fu or anything, it's not that kinda schlock. Now, I don't wanna say too much beyond that since I came in with no expectations and only the knowledge that it's a heist film, so when I found out what AA really is, I was pleasantly surprised. And if you're the sorta watcher who prefers enigma when you can find it, I suggest you go in sight unseen. And if you're not that kind of person, hop on in anyway because American Animals is one hell of an experience.
There is not much to critique visually that is in the zone of anything approaching my expertise beyond the really great sets and overall visual polish. If the budget was three pieces of pocket lint and one stale Pop Tart, you don't notice it. What I can dive in on a bit is the music, which is fucking terrific. Mixing both an original score with an impressive who's who licensed soundtrack of classic tunes. The original score is especially good at getting you into whatever mood the film wants you to be in, which is literally the job of the musical score so good on the composer, Anne Nikitin, for being competent and talented. That sounds more like a back-handed compliment than intended, because she really does bring a huge part of the glue that holds this 2 hour long film together.
Without giving too much of the game away, I have to say this is a true blue roller coaster of emotions from start to finish. When I came away from it, I did so with the smile on my face that I only get after enjoying a profoundly clever piece of work and thoughts swimming around in my head that were birthed by this film. Suffice to say, it's a riveting watch that had me wound up despite its being pretty long for what it is. Yet, its pace never felt cumbersome with a constant stream of some sort of intrigue throughout. In fact, I checked to see how far I was in when I was sure it was about to finish and was gobsmacked to find I was only halfway through. It's the kind of movie where you can really lose a sense of time watching due to how absorbing it is.
The acting is absolutely superb. When someone needs to blow up, they don't just pop a grenade pin and make a Wile E. Coyote impression, they go full on nuclear. But it's never at that point of feeling hammy or insincere, it's just good drama performing. And once you find out what American Animals really is, you have to be impressed by how spot-on the casting is. Seriously, this is like getting Brie Larson for Captain Marvel or Mark Ruffalo for Bruce Banner--it's shocking just how perfect the actors are for what they play.
American Animals is a top-notch flick that really blew me away. Maybe it's cuz I came in expecting nothing, so when I give you guys a hard recommendation you may go in with a higher level of anticipation and therefore scrutiny. Dunno. Can only give my perspective. What does American Animals get here? A 9.5/10, because it's a really special film though I dunno if it has much replay value beyond "I want to watch it again."
Must-see
Summary:
A stylish, savvy heister. Odd and unique. Don't miss it.
American Animals is a 2018 film directed and written by Bart Layton. Released by The Orchard and MoviePass in the US, it stars Evan Peters, Blake Jenner, Barry Keoghan, and Jared Abrahamson as four thieves attempting to steal several priceless books from a library special collection guarded by a lone old lady. And no, it's not like she knows kung fu or anything, it's not that kinda schlock. Now, I don't wanna say too much beyond that since I came in with no expectations and only the knowledge that it's a heist film, so when I found out what AA really is, I was pleasantly surprised. And if you're the sorta watcher who prefers enigma when you can find it, I suggest you go in sight unseen. And if you're not that kind of person, hop on in anyway because American Animals is one hell of an experience.
There is not much to critique visually that is in the zone of anything approaching my expertise beyond the really great sets and overall visual polish. If the budget was three pieces of pocket lint and one stale Pop Tart, you don't notice it. What I can dive in on a bit is the music, which is fucking terrific. Mixing both an original score with an impressive who's who licensed soundtrack of classic tunes. The original score is especially good at getting you into whatever mood the film wants you to be in, which is literally the job of the musical score so good on the composer, Anne Nikitin, for being competent and talented. That sounds more like a back-handed compliment than intended, because she really does bring a huge part of the glue that holds this 2 hour long film together.
Without giving too much of the game away, I have to say this is a true blue roller coaster of emotions from start to finish. When I came away from it, I did so with the smile on my face that I only get after enjoying a profoundly clever piece of work and thoughts swimming around in my head that were birthed by this film. Suffice to say, it's a riveting watch that had me wound up despite its being pretty long for what it is. Yet, its pace never felt cumbersome with a constant stream of some sort of intrigue throughout. In fact, I checked to see how far I was in when I was sure it was about to finish and was gobsmacked to find I was only halfway through. It's the kind of movie where you can really lose a sense of time watching due to how absorbing it is.
The acting is absolutely superb. When someone needs to blow up, they don't just pop a grenade pin and make a Wile E. Coyote impression, they go full on nuclear. But it's never at that point of feeling hammy or insincere, it's just good drama performing. And once you find out what American Animals really is, you have to be impressed by how spot-on the casting is. Seriously, this is like getting Brie Larson for Captain Marvel or Mark Ruffalo for Bruce Banner--it's shocking just how perfect the actors are for what they play.
American Animals is a top-notch flick that really blew me away. Maybe it's cuz I came in expecting nothing, so when I give you guys a hard recommendation you may go in with a higher level of anticipation and therefore scrutiny. Dunno. Can only give my perspective. What does American Animals get here? A 9.5/10, because it's a really special film though I dunno if it has much replay value beyond "I want to watch it again."
Must-see
Summary:
A stylish, savvy heister. Odd and unique. Don't miss it.
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