Animal Kingdom

David Michod's Animal Kingdom is a thoughtful, well-crafted film about a family of armed robbers. 17-year-old Josh (James Frencheville) lives with his uncles and their lioness grandmother (devilishly played by Jacki Weaver who is deservedly nominated for an Oscar). Though the family never commits a robbery during the story, violence permeates throughout, and Detective Leckie (humanely played by Guy Pierce, and his soup-straining moustache) takes aim at bringing the family to justice. Josh, who loses his mother, is beset by familial dilemmas, especially when his grandma shows her truly nurturing side. The film dresses itself as a melodrama, but it's really a parable for human roles in society. One of the top foreign films of 2010, this one is not to be missed.

Special features include the obligatory director's commentary and a "making-of" featurette. Only film geeks/students need apply.

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Animal Kingdom
DVD
$28.95
http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/