Starring: Bobbi Salvor Menuez, Amandla Stenberg, Heidi Von Palleske
Directed by: Jacqueline Castel
Ah, the trappings of young love – the innocence, the emotions, the repercussions…and the need to hide those sharp fangs when feelings of hunger take over. It’s a lycanthropic love-fest here today inside the morgue, and next up on the slab is MY ANIMAL, from director Jacqueline Castel. Brush aside those coarse, bushy strands of wolf-fur, look me straight in the eyes and feel my conviction when I dissect this amorous-animal-application for your entertainment.
The film follows Heather (Menuez), a young woman living in a small Canadian town with her family in the 1980’s – sullen, withdrawn at times, but has the hopes & dreams of playing on the local men’s hockey team. Her aspiration is encouraged by her father (Stephen McHattie) but discouraged and basically shut down by the coach (Dean McDermott) – she remains steadfast in her desire, but there seems to be a bigger issue than just teen angst at hand here. Actually, that angst would be a welcome replacement to what Heather’s already got raging through her…and it’s not hormones – you see, she’s a werewolf, and her condition is fully restrained by her family, including shackling her down when the moon is full & bloodthirsty cravings take over.
Only when she meets Jonny (Stenberg), who begins training at the rink, does Heather begin to realize what’s been inside of her for quite some time, and a burgeoning relationship soon takes shape. This new-found identity and awakening brings her to the realization that she cannot keep her secret any longer, and as time goes on you’ll begin to question if this romance can keep its skin (if you know what I mean). The film has quite a few intriguing layers to it and it’s very interesting to see the monster/human dynamic being put to the test, considering that other factors are at play. Performances are beyond adequate for this film, and although his role is somewhat bottled-up, McHattie delivers as he always does: with conviction, validity and a screen presence that towers over anyone else he’s sharing time with.
Overall, MY ANIMAL is one of those films that will most assuredly split its audience right down the middle – some will love the monster-mania within, while others should appreciate the maudlin-mystery aspect, ripe with the unknowing about whether or not to accept one’s inner-most feelings & wants. Hats off to Castel on the direction – make sure to give this one a watch when it becomes available.
