We the Animals

If you enjoyed Moonlight or The Florida Project, chances are you'll enjoy this one as well. A simple, bleak view into the lives of a family with nothing to hold onto other than each other. A boy finding himself and the circumstances he's in as he grows. A beautiful simple concept that you wouldn't expect to see as a film. Nothing but appreciation for this movie. Don't expect to be blown away, this isn't in any way shape or form a blockbuster entertainer. But see it as you see an abstract painting by Van Gogh, and let it take you where it chooses.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this film, but it turned out to remind me of two masterpieces- Moonlight and The Tree of Life. Its camerawork is sometimes reminiscent of Malick and the flowing, dreamy-like atmosphere he creates, but the narrative is also sometimes very much in the structure of Moonlight. Regardless, it's a fantastic film filled with fantastic performances that deserves to be seen.

I lived parts of this story. My parents have a toxic marriage. My Dad is mentally ill and was abusive. He has bipolar. My childhood felt so free at times, like this kid, but as I got older I realized how trapped I was. I'm 27 now, free enough of my childhood, but the memories always linger. Watching this was painful, but sometimes you ave to acknowledge what happened.

I really hope this film gets the audience and recognition it deserves. I was so blown away by the cinematography and score that I had to really think afterwards about just how good the acting was too. Flawless performances by all, not least of which the three boys who you would assume are brothers in real life (they're not).

Bravo, well done!

WE THE ANIMALS lulls you into thinking it's a mere memory piece. Much of the film is made up of short scenes that are more snatches in time, than anything resembling a tight narrative. Jeremiah Zagar's debut film follows three young Hispanic boys as they grow up in the 80s in upper state New York - Manny, Joel and Jonah (Evan Rosado; who also narrates). Their parents Ma (Sheila Vand) and Paps (Raul Castillo) struggle not only with making ends meet, but, also in their volatile relationship. Although the family has moved from NYC to the more bucolic rural suburbs, their move isn't necessarily a happy one.

While the film may seem formless at times, the vibrantly shot and directed segments (lots of hand-held; grainy earthy 16mm film stock), accumulate over the course of the movie. A flashback might just seem like a fuzzy thought when it passes by earlier in the film, but, pays off later. Zagar's stylistic touches don't always work. Jonah's drawings in a sketch book get animated at certain points in the film, but, never really feel all too well integrated. What does emerge is a larger picture of a family battling both within and without. Paps' macho Latino father dominates not only the mother, but, also causes frissons within the trio of brothers.

WE THE ANIMALS can be taken as simply a flashback reminiscence (it's based on a memoir by Justin Torres), but, once you let it roll over in your mind, a more complete 'story' takes hold. And, it it's a powerful one. Zagar's film is a refreshing, if at times, painful feature.