The American Dream, as the four protagonists of Bart Layton’s film see it, means accepting the limitations of mediocrity—a boring middle-class life in the American suburbs. This vision especially haunts Spencer and Warren, and even going to college doesn’t seem like a way out. But it is a starting point, because a bold, crazy plan starts to take shape in the young men’s minds—one that could change their lives forever. Inspired by the saying that you should steal your first million dollars, they decide to break into the university library to steal from its valuable collection. The point is not merely to get money, but to prove to themselves that feeling special is within their reach. Bart Layton, a director with a background in documentaries, combines the techniques of that genre with daring plot twists and fast-paced action. He merges the fictional world of American Animals with the real events that took place in Kentucky in 2004. When you add some exceptional performances to the mix you end up with the most explosive energy the genre has seen in some time.