![]() I appreciated Nocturnal Animals, particularly the Hell or High Water meets Prisoners-esque movie within a movie, but at the end of the day I kept coming back to how for all of the stylistic flourishes Ford lays on top of everything this is ultimately just a story about a wealthy art maven in the midst of an existential crisis reading a book which may or may not be a thinly veiled fuck you letter from her ex. It’s a striking, bleak exploration of the human condition and the ways we find to cope with our massive failures in life and love, as well as our role as a protector of what’s important in both. The constant shift in tone, story and timelines can be a bit messy at times, but it’s also what makes this film so compelling. This is an intensely distressing and disturbing tale of brutality that blurs the line between reality and fiction. “Nocturnal Animals” is a stylish revenge thriller that’s violent and shocking, but it’s not pointless or careless with its characters or subject matter. The remarkable original score by composer Abel Korzeniowski is appropriately macabre and angry yet elegant, a fitting complement to this very grim mystery. This is a dark, haunting and insanely gorgeous film. The cinematography (by Seamus McGarvey) is provocative and visually dazzling, filled with textural images that you’ll want to reach out and touch. In fact, every single performance from the ensemble cast is a true standout, from Adams’ hauntingly cold artist to Gyllenhaal’s dual role as a weak charmer as well as a desperate, grieving family man. Shannon is absolutely magnificent in this role he’s unusually subdued, dynamically forceful, and incredibly powerful. Something painfully tragic occurs, and Tony enlists the help of morally ambiguous West Texas detective Bobby Andes ( Michael Shannon) to track down his family. The most dark, suspenseful tale is the actual plot of the novel: a man named Tony (Gyllenhaal) is traveling on a deserted road with his wife and daughter ( Isla Fisher, Ellie Bamber) when a group of hillbilly punks and their alpha trash leader Ray ( Aaron Taylor-Johnson) run them off the road. Fans of Refyn and Lynch will love this film. ![]() ![]() The constantly shifting timeline is sure to leave many viewers confused, as this is a smart film that’s made for moviegoers who pay close attention and relish every seemingly insignificant detail on display. When Edward sends Susan a copy of his latest manuscript (the novel titled “Nocturnal Animals”), she begins to discover a somber truth about herself, her previous relationship with Edward, and the torment from consequences that fester after a decade of resentment and regret.įord seamlessly weaves three different timelines for his characters: the early years of their relationship, present day disappointment, and the fictional story within the story. The film, based on the Austin Wright novel “Tony and Susan,” tells the story of divorced couple Susan ( Amy Adams), an art gallery owner, and Edward ( Jake Gyllenhaal), a writer. Ford is a true visual artist with not only an impeccable eye for stunning moving portraits, but he’s a talented screenwriter as well.įord effortlessly and skillfully balances two very strenuous narratives within one lurid, complex tale. His gorgeous direction is filled with unparalleled finesse and ingenuity, making his films true works of art it’s amazing how a clothing designer can so flawlessly shift from the world of fashion to the world of film. ![]() Tom Ford is quickly cementing himself as one of my favorite film directors, a man with such an impressive, original eye for visual beauty that it’s almost unfair to others who work in the medium.
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