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American Animal is a dark comedy film directed by Matt D'Elia, who also stars in the movie as the lead character, Jimmy. The film deals with a young man's existential crisis and his search for meaning in life, as he contemplates his own mortality. The film follows the life of the eccentric and self-absorbed Jimmy, who spends his day drinking, smoking, and obsessing over world events. He lives in a small, cluttered apartment with his best friend James (Brendan Fletcher), who is more grounded and responsible than him. Jimmy is an aspiring writer, who believes that he is destined for greatness but lacks the motivation to actualize his dreams.

One day, a beautiful and mysterious woman named Angela (Mircea Monroe) enters their lives, and Jimmy becomes obsessed with her. She challenges his perception of reality, and Jimmy begins to question whether his life has any meaning. Angela awakens something in Jimmy and ignites his passion for life. She encourages him to take risks and pursue his dreams, thereby bringing out his true potential.

As the story progresses, Jimmy's erratic behavior increases, and he becomes more and more unpredictable, which results in bizarre and comical situations. He goes on long rants about the meaning of life, death, and existence, which frustrates James, and drives Angela away. Jimmy's existential crisis reaches a boiling point when he decides to host a party, which goes horribly wrong.

The movie is shot entirely in the apartment, which adds to the claustrophobic and surreal atmosphere of the film. It is a character-driven piece that uses minimalistic aesthetics, to explore big philosophical ideas. The film's narrative is nonlinear, and the story is told in a fragmented manner, which adds to the film's darkly comedic and absurdist tone.

The performances by the actors are all top-notch, especially that of Matt D'Elia. He delivers a riveting and captivating performance, as the self-absorbed and existential Jimmy. His character's descent into madness is both heartbreaking and chaotic, and D'Elia manages to capture the character's flaws and insecurities with deft precision.

Brendan Fletcher's character, James, provides an excellent contrast to Jimmy's erratic behavior. He is the voice of reason in the film, who tries to steer Jimmy in the right direction, but ultimately fails. Fletcher's understated and nuanced performance adds depth to the film, and he provides a subtle emotional anchor to the story.

Mircea Monroe's performance as Angela is also notable, as she plays the enigmatic and alluring woman, who sparks Jimmy's passion for life. Her character is the catalyst for the film's events and embodies the mysterious and unpredictable nature of life itself.

The film's soundtrack is also noteworthy, as it features a modern and unconventional score that adds to the film's overall uniqueness. The score is composed of ambient sounds, distorted guitars, and electronic beats that complement the film's surreal visuals and themes.

In summary, American Animal is a thought-provoking and comical film, that explores big philosophical ideas through the lens of a character-driven story. It is a film that celebrates the imperfections and absurdities of life, and encourages viewers to embrace the complexities of human existence. The film is both entertaining and insightful, and it delivers a powerful message about the importance of living life to the fullest.

American Animal is a 2011 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes.