This incredibly good looking, great sounding, well acted film is written and directed by David Michod. It's so well executed it's hard to believe it's his first feature.
Set in Melbourne, this tells the story of 17 year old Jay (James Frecheville excellent) who moves in with his grandmother "Smurf" and her 3 adult criminal sons. Smurf nurtures this life style and loathes the police who are surveilling their home with the intent of taking them out one by one. Her performance has been highlighted as stand out but it's not as as strong as newcomer Frecheville or craggy Ben Mendelson as the sinister Pope (If you want to see a truly terrifying crime matriarch check out the television series Funland)
Michod has the knack of achieving some very tense scenes, not scary at all - cops checking out a deserted car, Josh asking his girlfriends dad to give him a ride to the shops or Pope carrying a sleeping girl to her bed - I'm not sure how Michod does it but these scenes are all hand sweatingly tense to watch.
YES - from the beginning you know you're watching something special
