• Reviews
    • Watch This
    • VODepths
  • Humor
  • On the Marquee
  • Looking Back
    • Classic Corner
    • Anniversary
  • Film Fests
Crooked Marquee
  • Reviews
    • Watch This
    • VODepths
  • Humor
  • On the Marquee
  • Looking Back
    • Classic Corner
    • Anniversary
  • Film Fests
Home
Reviews

REVIEW: Drama Behind the Idyllic Summer in We the Animals

Aug 31st, 2018 Eric D. Snider
REVIEW: Drama Behind the Idyllic Summer in We the Animals

All is tranquil at the beginning of We the Animals before it evolves into a gentle, aching coming-of-age story for 10-year-old Jonah (Evan Rosado), who will soon learn that you have to take the moments of joy wherever you can find them. Up till now, it seemed like everything was joy.

Jonah, an introspective boy who keeps a secret diary that’s mostly pictures, lives with his two brothers (barely older than he is) and their parents in upstate New York in about the early ’90s. Ma (Sheila Vand) and Pops (Raul Castillo) were high school sweethearts who got married too young, and their loving but tumultuous relationship has grown untenable. Pops moves out, Ma spirals into depression; the boys, enjoying an otherwise carefree summer, are neglected.

In the midst of this, they meet a slightly older boy, Dustin (Giovanni Pacciarelli), the grandson of a neighbor, with whom Jonah becomes smitten (not that he understands his feelings). Dustin shows the boys a porn tape. Jonah’s brothers are probably no better equipped to handle it than he is, but the movie’s not about them. Jonah has been exposed to sex and other “adult themes” too early and lacks sufficient guidance to process it — and that’s aside from his burgeoning non-heterosexuality — hence the journal, hence everything else that ensues.

First-time feature director Jeremiah Zagar, adapting Justin Torres’ semi-autobiographical novel, handles sensitive subjects with discretion and grace. The film is full of wonderful, evocative details: the boys role-playing their parents on the phone, cracking themselves up with their impersonations; a lazy Sunday afternoon when the whole family is quietly lounging in the sunny living room; the boys’ barefoot, shirtless summertime romps against the backdrop of there not being any food in the house. Nick Zammuto’s moody electronica score and Mark Samsonovich’s simple animations contribute to the idyllic tone of this lovely, heartbreaking gem about queer awakenings and misspent youth.

Grade: A-

1 hr., 33 min.; rated R for strong sexual content, nudity, language and some underage drug and alcohol use

Join our mailing list! Follow us on Twitter! Write for us!
 
Facebook Twitter Google+
Eric D. Snider

Eric D. Snider

Eric D. Snider has been a film critic since 1999, first for newspapers (when those were a thing) and then for the internet. He was born and raised in Southern California, lived in Utah in his 20s, then Portland, now Utah again. He is glad to meet you, probably.

Subscribe to our Newsletter:
* indicates required
Trending
Oct 6th 12:00 PM
Movies

REVIEW: Romantic Musical Drama A Star Is Born

Apr 7th 9:00 AM
Movies

“These Are Not Very Bright Guys”: The Lessons of All the President’s Men, 45 Years Later

Apr 9th 9:00 AM
Looking Back

Classic Corner: The Damned

Mar 27th 8:11 AM
Movies

The Strange Case of Dana Carvey, Leading Man

Mar 31st 9:00 AM
Movies

Why We Miss Meg Ryan So Much

Sep 26th 1:14 AM
Film Fests

Fantastic Fest Review: French Drama Savage

Oct 18th 5:00 PM
Humor

EXCLUSIVE: Demo Recording of Randy Newman’s Song for A Star Is Born

Apr 16th 7:00 AM
Looking Back

‘Grizzly Man’ and Our Obsession with Being on Camera

Nov 19th 5:42 PM
Movies

REVIEW: Conversion Therapy Drama Boy Erased

Dec 26th 5:07 AM
Looking Back

Craig J. Clark Says Don’t Forget: Golden Exits

blank
cmpopcorn_white3.svg
  • Company
    • About Us
    • Contact
    • Writers Guidelines
  • Members
    • Login
    • SignUp
    • Forums
telephone icon [email protected]
envelope icon [email protected]
© 2014-2020 Crooked™ Publishing
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
blankblank