The Wolfpack Review- By Michael J. Carlisle

Title: The Wolfpack
Year: 2015
Director: Crystal Moselle
Country: US
Language: English

The genesis of this documentary occurred in 2010, when Director Crystal Moselle ( a graduate of New York's School of Visual Arts) stumbled upon upon a group of six peculiar-looking siblings while walking down First Avenue in Manhattan. Aged between 11 and 18 years old, they wore outfits very similar to those seen in Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs. Crystal immediately befriended them, bonding quickly because of their love of Cinema. She later found out their strange story and was compelled to film it.

Locked away from society in an apartment on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the Angulo brothers learn about the outside world through the films that they watch. Their father, Oscar, had the only door key and prohibited the kids from leaving the apartment except for a few strictly-monitored trip.

Much like the Maysles' Grey Gardens, Moselle's picture draws us into a strange barely functioning home and allows us to gawk at such fascinating subjects. It's a few steps above reality television, being of far better production value and at least attempting to be sophisticated. The subjects are treated with respect and are given plenty of time to tell their story the way they want to. Although, I personally don't really "get" how social services allowed such an unstable environment to fester for so long. I also don't really "get" how these kids could be so well balanced. Most people who have endured similar treatment don't just have social anxiety.

Unfortunately The Wolfpack doesn't have much strengths after the initial gimmick wears out. Seemingly dramatic moments, like the brothers going to a theatre for the first time, aren't filmed with any flair. The Director doesn't do anything with the sociological, psychological and philosophical implications of being isolated, rather the she lets it play out like any other "teenage rebellion"  story. Thus, even though their situation is very unique, it really doesn't feel special.

The Wolfpack had the potential to be a very thought provoking journey, but isn't bold enough to take that extra step. The idea was enough to get me to watch the film, but the presentation is lackluster at best. The picture ultimately takes us nowhere, leaves us with more questions than answers (in a bad way) and is quite disappointing. Piss on it! 1.5/5