‘American Animals’ Featurette Focuses On The True Story That Inspired The Film
American Animalstells the true story of one of the most audacious art heists in U.S. history. When it came time to make the film, directorBart Laytondecided to tackle the real story head-on by involving the actual people involved. A newAmerican Animalsfeaturette examines the real individuals and the true story behind the movie.
American Animals Featurette
American Animalsdirector Bart Layton comes from a documentary background – he helmed the excellent docImposter. Rather than leave his documentary skills behind when making the narrative filmAmerican Animals, Layton decided to involve the real individuals that inspired the story. In hisreviewof the film, /Film’s Ben Pearson said: “Occasionally, Layton intercuts commentary from the real versions of these guys, showcasing the conflicted memories of shared experiences and playing with cinematic form along the way. (A scarf changes colors in front of our eyes and a shady contact totally changes appearance as the real guys reveal that they remember these moments differently.)”
I’ve been a bit unimpressed with everything I’ve seen regardingAmerican Animals, but this featurette might have just sold me on the movie. In the video, Layton talks about how important it was to involve the real individuals in the process of the film. We get to see the actors playing the people edited together with footage of the actual people, and it’s both jarring and fascinating to witness. If the film itself is anything like this video, I’m in. This entire scenario reminds me – in an indirect way – ofAmerican Splendor. That particular 2003 film featured Paul Giamatti as comic book writer Harvey Pekar, while also having Pekar show up throughout the film playing himself.
American Animals, starringEvan Peters,Barry Keoghan,Blake Jenner,Jared Abrahamson,Ann DowdandUdo Kier, opensJune 1, 2018.
