Review: Nocturnal Animals
DVD & Blu-ray: Nocturnal Animals (2016)
Based on the 1993 novel ‘Tony and Susan’ by Austin Wright, Nocturnal Animals was written, produced, and directed by Tom Ford in his second feature.
Hmmm, Tom Ford, I know that name. Yes, you may do if you’re into fashion, because primarily Ford is a fashion designer and maker of lovely smells.
WHAT the hell? You may think (as I did when his first feature ‘A Single Man’ came out. But the thing is, Tom Ford has made two of the most singularly accomplished and beautiful films on the human condition in recent years. Another plus is, they look GLORIOUS.
The story follows an art gallery owner as she reads the new novel written by her first husband and begins to see the similarities between it and their former relationship.
Art gallery owner Susan Morrow (Amy Adams) unexpectedly gets a parcel, and in it is the manuscript for a novel written by her ex-husband Edward (Jake Gyllenhaal) with a message asking her to read it, and telling her he’s in LA for a few days and would she like to meet up for dinner?
This is a story within a story, as we see Susan’s real life – her husband – the very rich, handsome, disinterested and unfaithful (and OMG! Does he EAT women? Armie Hammer) Hutton is going away on a business trip, leaving her alone with this book. It’s called Nocturnal Animals after Edward’s nickname for her.
We then begin to follow the books narrative alongside Amy’s own.
Its rather masterful how Ford has accomplished this, leaving no doubt who and where you are at all times, even though these stories intertwine at all points.
This is a brutally visceral film, portraying rape and murder unflinchingly, and human emotion beautifully. All while looking like Blade Runner on speed. Stand out performances from all the actors, particularly Michael Shannon as the dying sheriff in the story, and Aaron Taylor Johnson as Ray the rapist and murderer. Again, I hate to tell you the plot but would rather tell you to don’t let the (beautiful) cover or seeming style of this bloody amazing film – put you off watching it.
It’s brutally beautiful.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
- The Making of Nocturnal Animals
Review by Tina from discs kindly supplied by Fabulous Films.
