Animal Factory

source: Animal Factory

Trailer—Animal Factory

Animal Factory

The prison genre of film has a very chequered history, and the number of films are many, very much so, both good and bad. It has gotten to the stage where in this day and age we yearn and need more from our prison based films, something more substantial away from rape and violence, away from father figures, or of redemption and friendship bonds. Unfortunately Animal Factory relies on all the clichés of the genre to tell its tale, which is actually at odds with how good a film it is. Deftly performed by the principal cast members, mounted with a keen eye by director Steve Buscemi, and played with an authentic vibe that lures you in and keeps you hooked, but there is unfortunately nothing remotely new here. However, if you are not over familiar with the prison based arc of cinema? Then this delivers rewards, and such is the quality of production, it doesn't deserve to be marked down. 7/10

Over the years there have been made many prison movies,but I dont think many of them really reflect how terrible a prison is.I think this movie shows it in a more realistic way than many other movies.The movie tells us that you got to have connections within the prison to survive and that friends are everything.This movie is the portrait of a young boy who ends up in a prison,and luckily he gets introduced with one of the leaders among the white inmates and therefor has a chance. In the roles you'll find Willem Dafoe (which does a wonderful job in this movie) and Edward Furlong who also is very good.As some other inmates you'll find Danny Trejo who always looks really tough and scary and Mickey Rourke in totally new role that I never thought would work for him.See the movie and find out what I am talking about.

"Animal Factory" is a plodding journeyman drama about prison life, uncommonly tame as prison flicks go. The film focuses on the Defoe character, a long time inmate who "owns this jail", and his relationships with other inmates, prison employees, and especially a new pretty boy convict played by Furlong. The film is technically okay, artistically nothing special, well cast and acted, with a the story which paints an apparently honest picture of prison life from prison politics to unspoken/unwritten codes, etc. A worthy effort and an okay watch for those with an interest in prison flicks.

ANIMAL FACTORY (2000) *** Willem Dafoe, Edward Furlong, Mickey Rourke, Tom Arnold, Steve Buscemi, John Heard, Danny Trejo, Mark Boone, Jr., Seymour Cassel, Edward Bunker. Actor Buscemi's sophomore effort behind the camera (he co-stars in a bit role as a prison review committee chairman) proves he is no fluke in capturing a strong narrative (set in a cold, hard prison) by way of a character-driven story based on Bunker's semi-autobiographical novel (which he co-scripted the screenplay with John Steppling) focusing on first-time offender Furlong thrown to the wolves with only wary, all-knowing lifer Dafoe (both equally effectively good) looking for their best interests to survive. Excellent ensemble of some of the finest character actors (including ex-con Trejo who co-produced with Buscemi) working today.

Although the DVD cover draws attention to another great prison movie (The ShawShank Redemtion), 'Animal Factory' is actually closer in style and content the equally good 'Midnight Express'. Without revealing the plot, Edward Furlong finds himself in deep trouble and is sent to prison for what emerges to be longer than his crime should permit. Here he meets and is befriended by Willem Defoe's character, the prison gang leader of sorts. Furlong, young, alone and vulnerable finds himself taken under the wing of Defoe, which amongst other benefits's, offers him some security against buggery. All the acting is first class, and the direction is snappy enough to keep the viewer entertained until the films climax. Keep a look out for Mickey Rourke's fantastic cameo, had he been given more screen time he would have stolen the show. A must see.

Whew. What can I say. This was a fascinating film that was very hard to turn away from (even to answer the phone!). Edward Furlong turns in another very solid performance as a too-young-to-be-in-this-type-of-place prisoner and Willem Dafoe was very interesting as his would-be mentor. Prison films are always tough to make as they tend to lean heavily upon stereotypes (the prisoner who runs the prison, male rape scenes, the violence in the prison yard) and this film is no exception. Buscemi gets away with it by making it all seem so workaday and routine, which in some ways is even more frightening. Overall I enjoyed this film but I imagine the audience for a stark prison flick is pretty small. Kudos to Buscemi for having the nerve to make it, tho.