229. We The Animals; movie review

WE THE ANIMALS
Cert 15
94 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong language, sex, nudity, drug misuse, references to domestic violence

It is a sad fact of life that some children are brought up in volatile circumstances with parents who think more about themselves than their offspring.
We The Animals shows the effect of an unpredictable upbringing on three young boys through the eyes of the youngest.
Evan Rosado excels as Jonah who looks on innocently as his father (Raúl Castillo) beats his mother (Sheila Vand) and then makes up with her as if nothing happened.
His slightly older brothers (Isaiah Kristian and Josiah Gabriel) are beginning to show traits of 'pa' but their mother, who seems to have given up on them, tries to wrap Jonah in cotton wool.
The consequence is the opposite of what she is striving to achieve - because of his lack of worldly knowledge, Jonah becomes vulnerable to myriad suggestions.
And because he is more sensitive than his older siblings, he increasingly drifts off into a world of his own with some rather disturbing illustrations.

From these come animations which bring this imagined world to life and combine with his occasion narration of a film which splits third and first-person perspectives.
Castillo, Kristian and Gabriel are so good that it could easily be believed that they are subjects of a documentary.
They play, fight and talk rough and innocent just like all young boys.
Meanwhile, Director Jeremiah Zaga succeeds in his goal of immersing the audience in a world where working-class family life is dogged by poverty while showing the importance of brotherhood.
It is expertly observed and acted out by an excellent cast in the boys and in Castillo and Vand.
The desperation is almost tangible but hope is never lost despite the punches which never seem to end.

Reasons to watch: Growing up in poverty from a 10-year-olds standpoint
Reasons to avoid: A tad repetitive

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: Yes
Overall rating: 8/10

Did you know? We The Animals is based on the novel by Justin Torres based around his personal experiences growing up in upstate New York. 

The final word: Noelle Gentile, who helped with casting: “It’s one thing to find one young person who just nails it but to find three boys who look like they could be brothers, have the chemistry and characteristics of each of those characters and are the appropriate height and age, made it complicated.”

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