American Animals Review

From a director who has primarily directed documentaries, American Animals is a brave effort taking cues from I, Tony to get its story across while adding its own unique twist to the formula. The story is interesting and a very grounded take on heist genre which has been largely dominated with nuanced plans and thrilling scenes. The amount and the value of the books is not a joking matter here in too, yet the idealism of the students and their ridiculous plan has been set up in a fine way. Using the real life conspirators of the crime to actually discuss their personal take during the moment is a gem of an idea and the director's touch for documentaries was apparent therein. This was also the movie's Achilles heel as the story moved with nerve wreaking scenes which were never grand enough to make the viewers break a sweat. The story was told as it was without exaggerating of glorifying it. This took away the tension that makes a heist movie so appealing.