Todos São Animais

My son and I really liked this film. If you are into shoot 'em up, no thinking or feeling required movies, then this one is not for you. For those who like animals and like to see the little guy win once in awhile, this is a great film. The stepfather, DeWinter, is a typical "nothing matters but money" type person and his unfortunate stepson, Bobby, gets caught in the line of his ruthless fire. As fate would have it, Bobby meets an eccentric and oddly lovable old fellow, Mr. Summers, who is into giving the poor creatures who have been flattened on the road a decent burial and a little compassion for what their little life once was. I know in this steam roller over everything that isn't human world that we live in, a lot of people aren't concerned in the slightest with what befalls those who are not so fortunate as them, particularly when it's a non-human unfortunate. But I found it very refreshing that someone took the time to write a book and do a film about the "underdogs" of life on this planet. I found myself cheering Bobby on when he finally finds his backbone and deals with his stepfather appropriately. For those who love animals and maybe even detest the cruelty that some people just feel they have to exhibit towards the helpless, this is a one in a million movie where the little guys win.

Some people need total control of everything and everyone in their lives. When they fail to enforce their will, these individuals lash out in anger, torment, or aggression. "The Fat" could be the poster child for such outrageous behavior. Daniel Benzali has played the heavy many times before (see "Suckers"), but his performance in "All the Little Animals" is pure evil, and reason alone to seek this film out. John Hurt and Christian Bale give fine performances, but it is Benzali who makes the movie memorable. The film is highly original, deliberately paced, and the ending is extremely satisfying. Highly recommended. - MERK

you can't help it.

I found it is better to watch this movie as a spectator rather than as a participant, because if you allow yourself to become involved in the story, the inconsistencies will annoy you to no end.

The whole theme about cruelty to animals holds no weight because we never become involved with any animals - in fact the stepfather seems to be more of a true animal in the sense of doing what is necessary to survive than any other character.

Christian Bale wavers from being profoundly retarded one minute to quite normal the next. John Hurt shows no remorse for his past deed, indeed is rather demented in confiding that he did the right thing in his little fairy tale retelling.

The main thing that will keep you watching is to see what will happen next. Nothing happens as it should - oh, the basic good will triumph over evil theme is there in all its faded glory, but what will keep you watching this movie is because it is exactly like roadkill. You know it's bad, but you just have to see what it is...

I was excited to see a John Hurt and Christian Bale film when cruising Prime one day.

I put it on that evening alone in my flat at around midnight whilst working on a project. The prime synopsis read: "Bobby (Christian Bale) runs away from home to escape his violent stepfather. He's taken in by a reclusive older man (John Hurt) until the two of them must confront Bobby's stepfather. Christian Bale is a standout in this dark moral fable."

I didn't research further as I didn't want anything spoiled. Of course, elsewhere online it states that the father kills all of Bobby's pets, prompting his escape.

As the movie made it past the first 10 minutes, I knew that it was not what I was expecting. I was ready for a heartwarming tale of a boy growing up and learning, with the help of a hermit, how to stand up to his stepfather.

I was met with a horror movie. With my cat beside me, we powered through this depressing, chaotic, and angering film. There is nothing particularly wrong with the acting, or the writing, or the cinematography, or the directing. But the subject matter is loaded. You will be yelling at the television at multiple points. I will not spoil any additional plot points as my review is more of a warning.

I have now read the book and learned more about the author-but I don't think I can ever watch the film again. Please proceed with caution when watching this film, as it will take a lot out of you.

ALL THE LITTLE ANIMALS

Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (2.35 Research)

Sound format: Dolby Digital

Until it takes a darker turn during its latter stages, there's a quiet dignity at the heart of this unusual drama, the directorial debut of producer Jeremy Thomas, based on a novel by Walker Hamilton. Christian Bale - a long way from EMPIRE OF THE SUN and two years from American PSYCHO - plays a mentally impaired young man who runs away from his creepy stepfather (Daniel Benzali) in the wake of his mother's death and ends up in Cornwall, where he befriends an eccentric hermit (John Hurt) whose fondness for animals strikes a healing chord within Bale's damaged psyche. Together, they set out to bury the dead creatures they find around their ramshackle home in the forest, many of them killed by traffic on lonely country roads.

Characterized by its magical performances (Bale is utterly convincing as the 10 year old boy trapped in a 25 year old's body) and eye-popping, panoramic vistas of the English landscape, the film offers a gentle reminder of mankind's place in the natural scheme of things, though Thomas makes his point without stooping to preachiness or obvious metaphors. In an amusing turnabout from standard Hollywood practices, this UK-lensed film features an American actor (Benzali) playing a Brit villain, the catalyst for a late-breaking plot development which some may find overly melodramatic. By turns humane, frightening and beautiful, this isn't a movie for all tastes, but adventurous viewers will be rewarded for their patience. A possible cult in the making.