American Animals is a rollercoaster ride through the psyche of 4 disillusioned students who take their imaginations to a level that hits the self destruct button on a grand scale.  This true to life docu-dramatisation was not quite what I expected it to be, but it kept me captivated enough to feel a full range of emotions… if nothing else it’s a film that leaves you stunned at the unbelievable stupidity of a group of America college students who decide to steal rare books (containing the titular American animals) on a whim. 

I loved the documentary intertwined with the dramatisation, hearing what was (or wasn’t) going through the real life perpetrator’s minds during their heist scheming and then seeing the expert re-enactment from a very convincing group of new gen. actors… it worked, would like to see more films in this style. 

Overall it’s worth a watch… be prepared, as I was, to get slightly angry at the waste of life, unnecessary hurt, broken families and sometimes limited show of remorse on offer from this films IRL subjects; 7 years is a long time to spend in prison for a spectacular fail with very little benefit.

release date 07/09/18