Animal Kingdom

Starring: Jackie Weaver(The Two-Wheeled Time Machine, Cosi)
Joel Edgerton(The Waiting City,The Square)
Ben Mendelsohn(Knowing,Beautiful Kate)
Luke Ford(Kokoda,Ghost Machine)
Guy Pearce(Bedtime Stories,The Hurt Locker)
Sullivan Stapleton(Centre Place, The December Boys)
James Frecheville(The Fourth Pillar)
Directed by: DavidMichod
This is a crime/drama film that is loosely based on the the Walsh Street police killings and the saga that went with them. The film is produced by Liz Watts.
Joshua 'J' Cody's mother dies of an overdose so he is left to be taken in by his grandmother and uncles who are criminals. His introduction to the seedy underworld of crime as part of his 'normal life' by his uncles and their friend Barry leads him to believe that nothing is safe when people have their backs to the wall. J is thrust into the killings - does he take the easy way out or is something more sinister in mind?
I felt that this was a good portrayal of the underside of life in Melbourne in the mid 1980's. The series of killings by police of several men wanted for and suspected of crimes was highly suspicious.
Andrew 'Pope' Cody(Ben Mendelson) was a very good character as was Barry Brown (Joel Edgerton). Jackie Weaver played a magnificent character as Janine 'Smurf'Cody- a resourceful woman who'll stop at nothing to protect her boys. A bit of a let-down was Guy Pearce as Det.Leckie - perhaps a little shallow? James Frecheville cast as the young J is one to keep an eye on.
Overall a crime drama that is very satisfying. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.