American Animals (2018) Review
7:58 AM
Nobody wants to be ordinary.
Odeon's #ScreenUnseen returned last night with the entertaining American Animals. This was a film I had heard nothing about and for that reason, was the mystery choice I didn't want it to be. Nevertheless, when the BFFC rating certificate revealed American Animals, I began watching with an open mind. I didn't expect the film's format to mash together conventions of the documentary and fictional film. I really enjoyed this aspect of the film. Keoghan, Peters, Jenner and Abrahamson all show potential to become some of Hollywood's biggest stars in the future. Bart Layton's approach is unique and stylish.
By featuring actors playing real individuals as well as the actual individuals, Bart Layton is able to debate the truth. Much like Craig Gillespie's I, Tonya, American Animals includes many contradicting narrators. From the colour of a man's scarf to the location of where the heist was contrived, the 'characters' have differing opinions. This adds a new layer to the film; the audience has to work out the truth from a bunch of unreliable sources. Layton positions Warren Lipka (Peters) as the least reliable; he comes across as foolish with a big ego. Spencer Reinhard (Keoghan) seems to be the most grounded, and although he initiates the plan, he gradually backs out. It is the real-life versions of the group that help the audience to decipher who is dependable; Spencer has matured and his mistakes have clearly affected him whereas Warren is as loud and clownish as ever, showing off his dinosaur tattoo during his introduction. Layton definitely sides with Spencer, Chas (Jenner) and Eric (Abrahamson) as the reenacted scenes present Warren as the ring-leader he claims not to be. Whereas I, Tonya debates Tonya Harding's innocence, Layton's American Animals makes it clear that the whole group are responsible but also dissects each person's perspective. American Animals is a thought-provoking autopsy of the truth.
American Animals sets itself apart from other heist films because it tells its story creatively. Although the heist is relatively small-scale in comparison to Hollywood's blockbuster heists, Layton's execution makes the end product just as exciting as those other films. This is a true story that had actual consequences for these individuals. It was also a genius idea to create a reenacted documentary based on a group who thought their life was a film. Layton realised how the boys saw their story; he turned it into an actual movie. It was interesting to see the group take inspiration from films like Reservoir Dogs and other spy classics - they even use the same pseudonyms! It was fascinating to see them understand that life doesn't work like a film - they first attempt the robbery dressed as old men with a master plan. This is unsuccessful and they try again with a much more low-key ploy. It is Betty Jean Gooch's interview that certifies their actions as wrong and inhumane: these boys were willing to hurt another person to steal some valuable books. Suddenly the title American Animals made sense. Layton picked a perfect format to tell this story.
Layton's script makes these boys relatable. It is established early on that Spencer has the desire for a big life change; he thinks that change will happen with little effort (because it happens to most film characters). This is a common desire for young adults coming to the end of their studies. Spencer and co get a big life change in the form of seven years in prison. It is clear that none of them (even Warren) are proud of their actions nearly 15 years later. Unfortunately, the film loses momentum once the robbery is over as the tone shifts and becomes very serious. I understand that this represents reality (lacking a happy ending) but the slower pace and weighty tone is inconsistent with the rest of the film. It was necessary but dragged out.
Across the board, the performances are impressive. I spent the whole film wondering where I had seen Keoghan, Peters and Jenner before. After a quick Google, I realised I was familiar with them all; Keoghan shined in Dunkirk, Peters made quite the impression in American Horror Story and is a great Quicksilver and I'd seen Jenner before in Glee. These young actors, as well as Jared Abrahamson, all have the potential to become huge stars. Does American Animals present the next generation of A-listers? It must have been difficult to play real-life figures while those actual individuals appeared in the same film; side-by-side comparisons can easily be made. Each actor seemed well-cast and embodied the same characteristics of their real-life counterparts. Especially Evan Peters who really did resemble the real-life Warren Lipka, physically and characteristically. American Animals is as well-acted as it is well-crafted.
American Animals is likely going to be one of 2018's underseen and underappreciated films. I highly recommend it; Bayton's experimental filmmaking deserves recognition. Barry Keoghan, Evan Peters, Blake Jenner and Jared Abrahamson all give excellent performances that match the real-life figures they are playing. This film demands more from the actors than a regular biopic or a factual adaptation because the real Spencer, Warren, Chas and Eric all appear too; Keoghan, Peters, Jenner and Abrahamson rise to the challenge. Bayton's distinct and playful storytelling format is refreshingly different and matches perfectly with this story. American Animals is wild but also raw. Layton's execution is smart and artistic.
American Animals is likely going to be one of 2018's underseen and underappreciated films. I highly recommend it; Bayton's experimental filmmaking deserves recognition. Barry Keoghan, Evan Peters, Blake Jenner and Jared Abrahamson all give excellent performances that match the real-life figures they are playing. This film demands more from the actors than a regular biopic or a factual adaptation because the real Spencer, Warren, Chas and Eric all appear too; Keoghan, Peters, Jenner and Abrahamson rise to the challenge. Bayton's distinct and playful storytelling format is refreshingly different and matches perfectly with this story. American Animals is wild but also raw. Layton's execution is smart and artistic.
77
/100
What did you think of AMERICAN ANIMALS? What did you think this month's #ScreenUnseen was? - COMMENT BELOW
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