There is actually a Transylvania University. Did you know this? I did not. It’s in Lexington, Kentucky. Try not to be disappointed when you hear their nickname is the “Pioneers.” I know, right? You don’t even have to say it.
The Transylvania U. library has a very valuable book collection including original works by Charles Darwin and John J. Audubon, two guys who spent much of their lives studying … wait for it … American Animals. In 2004, these works were kept under –what appeared to be- fairly minimal security: a locked door, a glass case, and a middle-aged librarian. Amateur artist and middling college student Spencer (Barry Keoghan) took a private tour of the collection and became obsessed with the Audubon tome, which is less a book and more a bound collection of the man’s doodles. It is unclear as why Spencer suddenly felt the need to steal the book – it is because he thought it was an easy lift or is it somehow part of an odd respect for the work itself? In either case, his next move was to call that guy you should never call when you have a bad idea, the enabler. In this case, the enabler was his unemployed friend, Warren (Evan Peters).
American Animals begins by telling us this film isn’t based on a true story… it IS a true story. Huh. Ok. I’m not sure how I feel about that. My least favorite way to begin a film, any film, is “based on a true story” … well, that and “written and directed by Tyler Perry.” But I digress. The point being: does genuine facsimile beat “this is kinda what went on, but we changed some stuff for movie purposes?” The narrative is handled entirely by the four men who executed the heist (?!) while the action centers on the actor versions of themselves as college aged kids. Their words hint that this was a bad idea spun out-of-control. Just how out-of-control is anybody’s guess, but it looks like Warren is addressing us from a prison cell.
Before long, Warren and Spencer realize they need help and pull in a technical expert, Eric (Jared Abrahamson), and some “muscle” in Chas (Blake Jenner). These four should have worked their way up to grand theft. It is 100% clear that none of these guys is attending Transylvania U. on a research scholarship because the number of robbery-related things these don’t guys know is baffling. I kept watching the film thinking it would make a great companion piece for Ocean’s 8 – Case 1 (Ocean’s 8) is Hollywood robbery: nothing really risked; everybody composed. Case 2 (American Animals) is “real” robbery: nothing is timed, nothing is right, the players are waaaaay over their heads.
Fitting to a movie that sounds like the title of a crappy tribute band, American Animals doesn’t quite know what it 
wants to be. It’s part documentary, part drama, part thriller, part comedy, part inspirational tale, part cautionary tale. None of these parts is ideal filmmaking which kinda suggests the director got either disillusioned or bored at regular intervals … or, perhaps, they filmed in sequence and never read further than the next scene: “Well I was making a comedy, but it turns out this is serious.”
There’s an embarrassing amount of subtle white privilege in this film … the sympathetic perspective allowing the real robbers to tell their own side of the story … the presumption of innocence where none applies … the futures and lives that were not were not ruined … there’s even a moment where a young man defending himself with a gun is not shot by the FBI. Oh, I’m sure this tale will go over like chutney on toast in certain communities. Assuming you’re not among those offended by white privilege, there are worse ways to waste an afternoon than American Animals.
In stealing a volume or two
Four thieves have not thought this through
They did get one gift
In this college lift
It’s not the librarian from Monsters U.
Rated R, 116 Minutes
Director: Bart Layton
Writer: Bart Layton
Genre: Real life criminal behavior and real life “you don’t know what you’re doing, do you?”
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: People who need excuses “not to”
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: The overconfident
