Only the Animals is a hidden gem on prime. It is a non-linear, hyperlink film that has characteristics of several genres, drama, mystery and thriller. What begins as a mystery about a missing woman in a snow storm is revealed to the viewer as a mesmerizing commentary of the loneliness of the human condition. The movie delves into the the response of individuals to their loneliness and the consequences of their response to this loneliness.
The plot is based on on the novel Seules les bêtes by Colin Niel. It is a narration of the lives of six individuals who are associated with the woman. These individuals include a couple trapped in a loveless marriage, where both decide to seek their needs elsewhere. The woman tries to find it with a poker faced unemotional man secretly mourning the loss of his mother, The husband decides to seek his emotional needs online.
There is the missing woman’s lesbian lover. This lover decides to take her changes with the unfamiliar by throwing away the security of her menial job as a waitress and chasing the one she loves. There is also a conman on the Ivory Coast who is trying to exploit the vulnerabilities of the unhappy husband. This conman has his own story of lost love. Director Dominik Mall brilliantly brings to light, how the lives of all these individuals is intertwined with the common threads of loneliness and ennui. Each character in the movie looks tailor made for his or her role adding realism to the story. The cinematography and screenplay are also stellar. The chain reactions of how the actions one person impacts the life of others is beautifully captured in the plot. This is a one-of-a-kind movie and is a must watch.
The stellar cast includes Denis Ménochet, Nadia Tereszkiewicz, Laure Calumy, Valerie Bruni Tedeshi, Damian Bonnard , Perline Eyombwan and others.
Bay Area Bloke 