Animal
Kingdom, a 2010 dark Australian gangster movie was one of the darker and
edgier releases of that year. Set around an Aussie family in the middle of
major criminal activity, it's perhaps less surprising that it ended up being
adapted for television than that it ended up being adapted for TNT, a network
known primarily for its generally formulaic procedurals, with the occasional
variation into different territory ('Murder in the First', 'Legends'. 'Animal
Kingdom', the series, carries some of the darker language and most explicit sex
scenes of any series on that network since 'Saving Grace'.
The main event that catalyzes the
series going forward is when Joshua 'J' Cody's (Finn Cole) drug addict mother
ends up overdosing, causing Josh to become part of his grandmother's family.
Considering what he gets into, he would definitely have been better off in
foster care. The family is basically one
step away from savagery, always in motion, fighting each other, skateboarding,
surfing, skydiving, and oh yeah, running heists.
Part of the problem with the
series, however, is that with the exception of J, very little has been done to
distinguish the four elder brothers from each other. Andrew Cody,(Shawn
Hatosy) known as Pope for reasons that
the series hasn't tried to explain yet, just got out of prison as the result of
a failed job, and is eager to get back in. Craig (Ben Robson) has been
having a lot of problems with trust, and
has tried to leave before, mainly because of the fact he is a closeted
homosexual, who is no mood to come out - not even to himself. Baz (Scott
Speedman, light-years removed from Ben on 'Felicity) tries to handle a family
life, but can't seem to give in to his mother's demands for his own children's
protection. And Deran is probably the most confused of the bunch, getting over
the loss of his sister. J's mother clearly was wise keeping them away from the
rest of her family, but it's clear her son is more like them than she ever
wanted to admit.
What makes this series watchable,
and even at times enjoyable is the incredible performance of Ellen Barkin as
the mother Smurf. Reaching into the darkness of the character that Jacki Weaver
in the movie got an Oscar nomination for, Barkin continues her career revival
in this series. Smurf is a woman who has to have complete control over her
family's life. There is command, subtle or overt in just about everything she
says or does, as she orders her family to follow her lead, as well as
incestuous overtones in some of the more disturbingly tender scenes with her
sons. Smurf, like Barkin remains a very sexual creature, and it's clear that
she's holding a lot of secrets of her own. If Barkin isn't on the short list for
Best Supporting Actress for next year's Emmys, I will be very surprised.
Admittedly, 'Animal Kingdom' is
only a dark and edgy series by the standards of the network its one. Already
renewed for a second season, it's still hard to tell if it will be at the level
of some of the better series on TV. But there have been signs that it is moving
in the general direction of a storyline, and Barkin goes to the pantheon of
brilliant female performers we have seen on this network. It's definitely not
Rizzoli & Isles, which is something of a plus.
My score: 3.5 stars.
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