Animal Kingdom (2010)

A seventeen year-old navigates his survival amongst an explosive criminal family and the detective who thinks he can save him.

Director:

David Michôd

Writer:

David Michôd

Stars:

James Frecheville, Guy Pearce, Joel Edgerton

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 38 wins & 55 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Frecheville	...	Joshua 'J' Cody
Bryce Lindemann	...	Paramedic #1
Paul Smits	...	Paramedic #2
Jacki Weaver	...	Janine 'Smurf' Cody
Joel Edgerton	...	Barry 'Baz' Brown
Luke Ford	...	Darren Cody
Sullivan Stapleton	...	Craig Cody
Mirrah Foulkes	...	Catherine Brown
Anthony Ahern	...	Armed Robbery Detective
Justin Rosniak	...	Detective Randall Roache
Michael Vice	...	Hood #1
Chris Weir	...	Hood #2
Laura Wheelwright	...	Nicky Henry
Sarah Nguyen	...	Waitress
Lucia Cai	...	Cashier

Storyline

Despite being no saint herself, Julia Cody has shielded her seventeen year old son, Joshua "J" Cody, from her Melbourne-based criminal relatives who they have not seen in years. After Julia dies in front of J's eyes from a self-inflicted heroin overdose, J, who is slightly detached from life, feels he has no choice but to contact his maternal grandmother, Janine "Smurf" Cody, the family matriarch, for a place to live. Smurf rules the family with a borderline incestuous love over her three sons, the quietly menacing Andrew "Pope" Cody, the hyperactive Craig Cody, and the barely of age Darren Cody. Pope and his best friend, Barry "Baz" Brown, are armed robbers, with Darren their up and coming apprentice, while Craig is a mid level drug dealer. Melbourne's Armed Robbery Squad is after specifically Pope, who is hiding out. But when the standoff between the Codys and the Armed Robbery Squad is brought up a notch, an all out war ensues, with some casualties and J caught in the middle. The ...

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Plot Keywords:

matriarch | australia | crime gang | prahran melbourne | cocaine | 

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Taglines:

A crime story.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, drug content and pervasive language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site [Australia]

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 June 2010 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Carstvo životinja

Filming Locations:

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

AUD 5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$61,968, 15 August 2010, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,044,039

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$7,199,608

Company Credits

Production Co:

Porchlight Films, Screen Australia, Film Victoria

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

An early champion of the film was Joel Edgerton who worked hard to help drum up backers for David Michôd's script. Two years earlier, Edgerton had been in a similar position trying to get the backing necessary for his own screenplay, The Square (2008).

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Quotes

Craig Cody: [after handing J. a handgun] Go get him.
Joshua 'J' Cody: And do what?
Craig Cody: Let him know who's king.

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Connections

Featured in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #1.3 (2011)

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Soundtracks

Sitting in Limbo
Written by Jimmy Cliff and Guilly Bright (as Guillermo Bright-Plummer)
Performed by Jimmy Cliff
Published by Island Music Limited
Administered by Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd
Under license from Universal-Island Records Ltd (UK)
Licensed courtesy of Universal Music Australia Pty Ltd

User Reviews

waiting for number two

Director David Michod should be congratulated for his intelligent, quiet control over this strongly scripted, well-acted, distinctly Australian movie. All the parts came together with originality, which is not an easy task, especially with crime stories; but this one delves into the families & minds of criminals avoiding blatant stereotypes so often thrust upon the viewer. All the actors are perfectly cast and fine actors. Jacki Weaver, you nailed Smurf and Guy Pearce has become this wonderful chameleon & consummate actor who continues to surprise with his range. This is your first feature, David Michod, well I'm certainly looking forward to your second.