Rodents of Unusual Size

Rodents of Unusual Size is part zoology lesson, part environmental impact statement, part unflinching look into the recklessness and resiliency of human nature, with a bit of horror film mixed in. Beautifully filmed in the swamplands of Louisiana, Rodents is so engaging that it was even hard for me to look away during a few gory scenes. And I am someone who goes to great lengths to avoid walking past the butcher case in a supermarket. Watch this film! It's a story you aren't likely to hear about anywhere else.

Before seeing this film, I didn't quite know what to expect. But I was almost immediately blown away by how spectacular it proved to be. Not only is the filmography and editing visually stunning and beautifully executed but the story and characters are refreshingly unique and weave a captivating tale. I was transported into Louisiana and truly had a feel for the lives and culture of the area. Through the consistent theme of the nutria, this film was truly enlightening and entertaining. Touching upon so many unexpected topics such as fashion, cuisine, history, environmental issues, sports, and many more, Rodents of Unusual Size was extensively researched, informative, but most of all, enjoyable. The viewer meets so many complex and likable people with real stories that were relatable while also paradoxically being so foreign. Through their tales (again, mostly centered around nutria in various fascinating ways), the viewer has the pleasure of truly feeling connected and yearning for more. I feel as if I am so much more informed of an entire culture, both with positives and negatives, that I wasn't even aware existed, which is a thrilling sensation. When I noticed the film was almost over, I had two urges: the first was to restart it because I hadn't yet had enough of this fantastic film. The second was to immediately hop on a plane to Louisiana.

The documentary covers the history of the importation of nutria to Louisiana as a competitor to muskrats in the once-popular fur trade, and of its ecological consequences to humans.

Who wouldn't love seeing giant swamp rats? The camera work and editing of this film is amazing, a pleasure to watch, over and over (personally I watching it over 20 times), so many details to think about, costal erosion, cajun culture, native Americans ..... this film has it all! Well done, Jeff, Quinn and Chris, well done!

Rodents of Unusual Size was a fun and engaging documentary with beautiful filmography. It captures Louisiana culture and its people beautifully through the entertaining lens of a giant rodent. It was everything I expected from a well produced documentary, but what engaged me the most was the way it exposed the particular moral dilemmas of nutria in Louisiana in a way that can be applied to broader conflicts. Just one example: why do people, and often wealthy people, tend to treat these animals like pets and protect them when they are in fact destroying the very land they live on? The filmmakers did a great job of portraying multiple sides of an argument with respect and allowing the audience to come to their own conclusions. Would love to see more films from them!

Rodents of Unusual Size is a fantastic documentary that captures the spirit and resilience of the people living in the Louisiana bayou. Part environmental film, part human character study, ROUS presents the challenges of a community rallying for their land against a thriving invasive species. The filmmakers approach the topic and subjects with a wonderful balance of humor and heart, you can't help but fall in love with this community and simultaneously question your ethics.