Animals (2012)

Animals Poster

Pol is a teenager with a seemingly calm life: he lives with his brother and is still in high school. However, Pol has a secret: Deerhoof, a cuddly teddy bear who thinks, moves around and with whom he shares his best moments. Life goes on as normal until the arrival of Ikari, an enigmatic student who seems to be hiding something. Pol is fascinated by his new classmate and attracted to the dark side he harbors. An inexplicable death and a series of strange events will transform the meek student's routine into a fantastic adventure which will take over their lives. Animals is a story of teenage love, of sacrifice, of the tragedy of two clashing worlds. A Tale in which the power of imagination blurs its borders with reality and where death turns out to be an ending as tempting as inevitable.

Introduction
"Animals" is a 2012 Spanish drama-thriller movie directed by Marçal Forés, with a screenplay co-written by Forés, Aintza Serra, and Enric Pardo. The film, embeded in a village in Catalonia, Spain, stars Martin Freeman and Oriol Pla. It follows the story of a lonesome teen named Pol, who is torn between his real-life friendships and his accessory to a life-sized teddy bear that appears to have a life of its own. The movie checks out themes of adolescence, loneliness, and the blurring line in between reality and fantasy.

Plot Summary
Pol, a peaceful and shy teen, deals with his cop bro, Llorenc, after the death of their moms and dads. Pol spends his days attending high school and dealing with the typical difficulties that come with adolescence, such as relationship, love, and jealousy. His daily regimen is heavily influenced by his unconventional relationship with a life-sized teddy bear called Deerhoof, who interacts in English and keeps him business, functioning as his de facto parent and guardian.

The film's narrative structure is greatly influenced by Pol's own subjective point of view and mixing of dream and reality. As Pol navigates his teenage life, so too does his relationship with his emotionally varied schoolmates, who are exposed to the characteristic challenges of adolescence, such as fitting in and self-discovery. In particular, there is a growing jealousy among Pol's friends, as well as a distant relationship with a mysterious and talented lady called Laia.

Pol's world takes a darker turn when he ends up being captivated by a new trainee called Ikari and his enigmatic aura. With Ikari's arrival at the school, a wave of strange incidents and accidents begin to take place, as well as troubling secrets that the apparently picturesque town hides. Throughout these events, Pol ends up being gradually captivated with Ikari, additional straining his relationship with Deerhoof and his classmates.

Characters
- Pol Vergós (Oriol Pla) is a shy and introverted teenager who has a close, yet secret bond with his teddy bear Deerhoof, who assists him navigate the confusing world of adolescence.
- Deerhoof (voiced by Dimitri Leonidas) is a life-sized teddy bear that is the personification of Pol's conscience, parental figure, and buddy. He shows complex feelings and has conversations with Pol, providing assistance and support throughout the film.
- Ikari (Augustus Prew) is a mystical and charismatic brand-new trainee at Pol's high school, who exudes an unsafe appeal that records Pol's fascination.
- Laia (Roser Tapias) is a talented and enigmatic artist at Pol's school, who shares a complicated friendship with Pol and harbors her own tricks.

Styles
The movie explores various styles, such as the insecurities and pressures of teenage years and the blurring line between reality and dream. It looks into the human requirement for emotional connections and the results of seclusion and loneliness on the mind. Furthermore, it examines the darker elements of human nature, behind the picturesque façade of the village.

Crucial Reception
Upon its release, "Animals" received mixed evaluations from critics, with some praising its unique premise and visually sensational cinematography while others criticized its complicated plot and lack of character development. The movie has considering that acquired a cult following, particularly amongst those interested in checking out unconventional stories that look into the intricacies of human feelings and relationships.

Conclusion
"Animals" is a visually jailing and thought-provoking coming-of-age film that centers around a lonely teen's journey through the complex world of teenage years, love, and friendship. With its mix of fantasy and realism, the movie provides an intriguing and complicated portrait of the human experience. In spite of its occasionally confusing and winding plot, "Animals" stays a fascinating movie that checks out the discomforts of growing up and the requirement to feel connected to others.

Top Cast

  • Oriol Pla (small)
    Oriol Pla
    Pol
  • Augustus Prew (small)
    Augustus Prew
    Ikari
  • Dimitri Leonidas (small)
    Dimitri Leonidas
    Mark
  • Roser Tapias (small)
    Roser Tapias
    Laia
  • Javier Beltrán (small)
    Javier Beltrán
    Llorenç
  • Martin Freeman (small)
    Martin Freeman
    Albert
  • Maria Rodríguez Soto (small)
    Maria Rodríguez Soto
    Clara
  • Katia Klein (small)
    Katia Klein
    Silvia
  • Mia Lacostena
    Sara
  • Anaïs López
    Sonia
  • Alba Ribas (small)
    Alba Ribas
    Laura