Nocturnal Animals (2016)

Genres

Drama | Thriller

Director

Tom Ford

Country

USA

Cast

Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Isla Fisher, Armie Hammer, Laura Linney, Andrew Risebourough, Michael Sheen, Ellie Barnber, Robert Aramayo, Kristin Bauer van Straten, Karl Glusman, Jena Malone, Zawe Ashton

Storyline

An unhappy wealthy art curator (Amy Adams) beings to picture herself within the pages of her ex-husband's (Jake Gyllenhaal) novel and slowly becomes haunted by it.

Opinion

I have to say that I was sceptical about "Nocturnal Animals". I mean, a fashion designer writing and directing a film, what is going to happen next? But then I read Tom Ford also directed "A Single Man", a film I'm yet to see but I've heard great things about. And I've also heard people speak well about "Nocturnal Animals", especially about its performances so I decided to watch it. And it blew me away. This film not only features some astonishing performances, but it's a thrilling and stylish film as well as a profound experience.

I didn't know the storyline, but as soon as it started to unroll, I was completely hypnotised by it. I'm not exaggerating, the story, which is a combination of two superb storylines - actually, at some point they become three storylines, wonderfully tied together -, is enthralling, fascinating, interesting, and it is about love, revenge and redemption. It also teaches that the choices we make can haunt us forever.

But that's not all. Tom Ford's screenplay also features very well-written characters - both main and supporting - whose characterization is marked even more by some sharp and sophisticated dialogue. And both characters and dialogue are delivered by the cast to perfection. Amy Adams once again proves how versatile she is with a sublime performance that captures the cynicism and vulnerability of her character. Jake Gyllenhaal also is at the top of his game playing both a sensitive writer and a vengeful man without being unbelievable. Aaron Taylor-Johnosn is also good as the villain of the fictional storyline, but Michael Shannon is the one really standing out with another of his creepy and magnetic performances.

"Nocturnal Animals" is also beautifully shot - there are some outstanding landscapes and some moving scenes as well - and Abel Korzeniowski's score is the perfect combination for the mesmerising visuals.