Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

I will take a stab here and assume Bobby's reference to "The Fat" is British slang for "the stepfather." That is the only thing that makes sense to me.It is set in 1996 because we see that date on the grave marker of his recently deceased mother. As Bobby explains in a voice-over, The Fat killed her, not overtly, but by making her so unhappy that she wasted away. Now The Fat is after Bobby to sign papers that will reject his inheritance and give sole ownership to the London store he ran with Bobby's mother. Bobby is so distraught over this because, as she was dying, his mother told him not to sign anything. So he ran away.Christian Bale in his early 20s as Bobby Platt. He had a severe head injury when he was younger and as a result comes across as rather simple. As he heads towards the Cornwall area, to hunt up his grandfather, Bobby meets up with a man whose mission in life is to collect dead animals he finds on roadways and give them a decent burial. This strikes a chord with Bobby and soon they befriend each other, and in fact Bobby moves in to live with the man, John Hurt as Mr. Summers.Once Bobby explains all his entanglements to Mr Summers, they pay a visit back in London with The Fat, who does not take the visit very well, resenting the "friend" who wants to see Bobby do the right thing.This is a movie that many audiences will not embrace because it is not your normal mainstream movie. However I enjoyed it for the actors, both are in fine form. SPOILERS: The Fat chokes and beats Mr Summers, then takes him and Bobby in the big black car to where Mr Summers' cabin in the woods. Nearly dead he whispers to Bobby to be cunning, to trick The Fat, he needed to be killed. Distracted by lots of hidden money in the floor, Bobby uses his new knife to slash The Fat across the back of his neck then runs towards the sea. The Fat follows, in the car, bleeding badly, and in a final act of trying to run over Bobby with the car, crashes into an old, deep abandoned shaft. Bobby buries Mr Summers, takes as much of the money as he can, and carries on the mission of giving appropriate burials to dead animals.

Some people need total control of everything and everyone in their lives. When they fail to enforce their will, these individuals lash out in anger, torment, or aggression. "The Fat" could be the poster child for such outrageous behavior. Daniel Benzali has played the heavy many times before (see "Suckers"), but his performance in "All the Little Animals" is pure evil, and reason alone to seek this film out. John Hurt and Christian Bale give fine performances, but it is Benzali who makes the movie memorable. The film is highly original, deliberately paced, and the ending is extremely satisfying. Highly recommended. - MERK

This movie is incredible. Christian Bale gives the most convincing, beautiful performance. He becomes Bobby. The story is so unique and really is for those motivated by compassion and love for the simple, and often under looked in society. The stepfather is evil incarnate, and I could almost not bear watching him. John Hurt is amazing in this as well. I loved this movie! This isn't a review, just me, expounding on my favorite actor, Christian Bale, and how in love I am with his work. He brings it every time! The scenery in this is gorgeous as well, of the English countryside. There is a scene towards the end when Bobby (Bale) starts crying over Mr. Summers and it is magnificent. He is so believable. Good triumphs over evil. It is a bit twisted at times, but you have to watch this with the spirit of justice in mind. This is a story of love, and the power of the simple, the "unpowerful" in our world's eye.

The only reason to watch this ridiculous mess of a film is the beautiful Cornish coast. Filled with sanctimonious cliches, and contradictions, the story marches on it's predictable way to it's predictable conclusion. The three central characters are tiresome, the story contains no nuance or subtlety, nothing but the relentless pounding of whatever message the writer wanted to deliver. If you need to see footage of Cornwall in a dramatic setting, your time will be better served by viewing "The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With the Sea".