Not bad, but in the end, a forgettable bit of superfluous cinema with annoyingly poor casting choices of the older versions of the main characters, who didn't look anything like the main characters.

A good film. It describes efficiently, the dreams and the aims of a considerable percentage of the contemporary youth in the U.S.A. Clearly states the dilemma college students face, when confronted with their future prospects. The choice between a 'normal' life (predictable, comfortable and relatively well envisaged) and an unconventional but exciting road to self-fulfilment. The luxury of this kind of choice, although restricted to affluent youngsters of a 'rich' country, is surprisingly difficult to make given the environment, the family conditions and the social expectations. The film presented to me a critical view of a 'foreigner' (the director is from the UK) to real contemporary problems the youth in the U.S.A. face. The 'documentary-like' scenes (talk to the camera, interviews, references to real persons) were excellent additions to the narrative flow.

American Animals, falls into a select group of films through no fault of the film itself, has been reduced to a pretty bare bones and very limited release just playing in a handful of theatres across North America. Having just seen the film last night, I was wondering as I was watching it why the film's distributor didn't choose to be a bit more adventurous and give the film a wide release. Was it because the distributor only has certain amount of seats allotted to them, or was it not a finanically viable option? Either way, I think that even if the film's current distribution company couldn't for whatever reason give it a wide theatrical release that any number of big players could very easily have done so and I could almost guarantee that with the right marketing and with the positive reviews and word of mouth that the film already has going for it, that it could become quite a hit and the reason that it hasn't already done so is because for most people it is not playing in theatres that are anywhere close to where they live, so henceforth leaving the option of either driving a long distance to see it, or catch it when it becomes available on streaming. I think more major studios need to take bigger risks by releasing films like this because I think they would score more with audiences than they think they would. Anyone now can tell you that their basic movie multiplex is full of all the lastest Marvel, Star Wars and superhero films which do seem to take in a large amount of the money that the box office brings in, but I would encourage these major theatre chains as well to also cater to a smaller demographic and bring in films that maybe an older audience, or an audience who has far outgrown your usual Summer movie fare has to offer because for myself I find that within the last little while my theatre trips are becoming less and less frequent for the simple reason that there is nothing worthwhile playing and I am so very fortunate when a film like American Animals does come along to have a much needed break from the normal fare that is out at this time of year. The film is based on a true story and combining aspects of a documentary as well as the film being a fully realized and played out drama, it becomes one of the most fascinating as well as entertaining films of this year and what the cinema has had to offer lately. I was quite impressed by the film's overall style with it's mix of 60's and 70's musical tunes as well as flashing between the past and to the present where we see the real life perpetrators of the crime depicted in the film in reality and get to see their thoughts and opinions about what made them decide to do what they did and also giving us a look at basically these characters had for the most part everything going right for them in an academic, or career oriented way and just out of sheer boredom, or really having nothing else to do, came this not very well thought out idea of pulling off a heist at their local university library. Whether the following events were true, or not, either way the film makes for some of the most thrilling times you are bound to see in a theatre thus far this year and it has a great mix of comedic scenes, drama as well as a good sense of suspense and timing when the said heist is actually attempted. The young actors here who I am mostly unfamiliar with all do a very commendable job of showing you what drives them to do this event all at the same time showing that we can not always figure out the reason they did it. The parents don't seem to be overly involved in the film, but whether that was factual, or just an aspect they didn't seem to show I don't know. One of the main characters we see his parents living in a very strained and dysfunctional relationship that later leads to divorce and you can't help but wonder if that had any effect on the decisions that this character would later make in the film. Otherwise these characters seemed to be bored and had little else going on in life and as we hear from their very own mouths, we see that they regret the decision to ever get involved in these events and if they had sitten down and thought rationally, or talked to an older, or more mature person, these events most likely would not have been carried out. It is a fascinating yet disturibing look at society and what makes and triggers people to do the things that so often destroy not only ourselves but those and our society around us. American Animals doesn't try by answering any of these questions, but instead takes us on a thrilling ride that is just as much for contemplation as it is for entertainment and with that perfect balance it becomes one of this year's must see films.

Documentarian/Producer and Director/Writer here, British born Bart Layton ("Locked Up Abroad" TV) has gathered an outstanding ensemble of actors (Even Peters "POSE," Barry Keoghan " Dunkirk," Blake Jenner " Edge of Seventeen," Jared Abrahamsson "Travelers" TV, Ann Dowd "Hereditary") who decided to up their boring and disenfranchised lives by stealing historical and financially strong books from their local Lexington KY University. Together, they are a train wreck waiting to happen, and one you can't look away from. Layton does an amazing job intertwining the story leading up to and through the heist, with actual interviews with the four (now grown men) who lived the experience first hand. By presenting all versions of the expereince, the audience becomes vested in the presentation. Unfortunately, Librarian Betty Jean (BJ) Gooch must bare the burden of being in the boys way, yet the always excellent Ann Dowd is up for the interaction. Score by Anne Nikitin helps establish the sentiment of the film and the pending action. Cinematography by Ole Bratt Kirkland further establish the community environment and the trapped feel the boys are dealing with, and the films Editing team (Nick Fenton, Chris Gill, Julian Hart) brings it all together into one exciting package. To Layton and the Editing teams credit, you won't be able to breath during the heist scene. Make sure to stick around for the credits, as musician Sixto Rodriguez ("Searching for Sugar Man" 2012) performs the final credit score. Funny thing, his name is nowhere to be found in the credits. "American Animals" is an Indie film that could easily be recognized across the board come Awards time.