Few
films have defined a moment, a period in one's life that appear on a wider
scale. It is the 'smaller' films, the indies, that really capture how something
is felt or is feeling and on a personal level, Sophie Hyde's adaptation of Emma
Jane Unsworth’s 'Animals' was that film for me.
Films
about friends usually follow a pattern, whether it is to destruction or joy or
even enlightenment, the stories usually go the same way. A group or duo are
close knit, they mean the world to one another, but this can't go on forever,
when someone wants to grow up or move one but are prevented because of their
need or love for the friend(s). Sooner or later an outburst or argument cements
a parting of the ways. The friends either never see each other again or they
do, but only in passing. Such close friends who bring so much joy and happiness
are usually the ones who lead you to your own undoing. For Laura and Tyler, it’s
a familiar pattern but with so much more emotion, drink, drugs and blocked creativity.
Laura
and Tyler are best friends living in Dublin, enjoying nights fuelled by
alcohol, drugs and casual sex. Laura calls herself a writer but she's been
saying she's writing a novel, for the last 10 years. Tyler is a barista by day
and the instigator of all the women's wild nights out. But when Laura meets the
soulful pianist Jim, everything seems to change in Tyler's eyes, especially
when the couple announce they're getting married. Laura still thinks she can
find a balance between her new life with Jim and her hedonistic ways with
Tyler. Life changes no matter how big or small seem to be put this friendship
to the test.
The
perfect pairing of Holliday Grainger’s Laura and the ever-brilliant Alia
Shawkat’s Tyler was made in casting heaven. Each actress embodies their character
and delves deep into their psyche that you feel even more immersed in their
lives that just watching them on a screen. Every bit of grime and grit is
explored, there are no beautification filters on the friendship between Laura
and Tyler which makes it not only believable but, in some ways, hope that more
films will show real friendships between characters like ‘Animals’ does. The
pain and suffering of each character whether its with past/present trauma or with
the struggle of everyday creativity, these issues are treated with care and not
as side notes on a character’s background.
Piecing
together Laura and Tyler’s world is fascinating to watch. The design and
decadence of the old fashioned looking flat looks like an ex- English lit student’s
dream, full of book shelves, vintage-eques furniture and smaller touches like a
drinks tray laden with martinis. The personality of the of the two friends are
reflected in their home, the old Hollywood style for Tyler and the creativity blocked
Laura.
Maybe
it’s the age of the characters that it feels so relevant to myself or that it’s
just about the acceptance that the party does have to end, but Hyde’s film
really immerses you into the world of Laura and Tyler but not as an audience, but
as a participant.