Director: Tom Ford
By Alex Watson
In just his second feature, Tom Ford has created something remarkable with Nocturnal Animals. A psychologically jarring piece, the ugly side of marriage and revenge is uncovered. Injecting multiple stories into a film can often be problematic. Ford makes each different chapter so essential to the film's feel. With riveting turns from both Jake Gyllenhaal and Amy Adams, this is one of cinematic experience that will leave you thinking for days.
Susan Morrow (Amy Adams) is a wealthy yet troubled owner of a Los Angeles art gallery. Her marriage to philandering husband Hutton (Armie Hammer) is failing and she questions her passion in life. One day she receives a manuscript from her ex-husband Edward Sheffield (Jake Gyllenhaal). The book entitled 'Nocturnal Animals' is a disturbing and possibly true account of revenge. The more she reads, the more Susan finds herself revisiting her old marriage and the harsh way in which she ended it.
Nocturnal Animals is a revelation because storywise because it seems impossible that all fits together. Beginning with an almost vulgar title sequence of a plump naked woman dancing with sparklers- Ford's intent to shock is clear from the start. Throughout the three different narrative's, all have their own unique factor to keep things interesting. When we first meet Susan it is made apparent that although she is rich and successful, her personal life is a mess. Constantly she lives in fear of turning into her domineering mother (Laura Linney) and is questioning her life choices. When she gets Edward's manuscript, which strangely is dedicated to her, Susan is reinvigorated. The novel tells the story of Tony Hastings (also Gyllenhaal) who while driving through West Texas one night is rammed off the road by Ray Marcus (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and friends. This sequence is one of the most disturbing and tense imaginable as the lives of Tony and his wife and daughter (Ilsa Fisher and Ellie Bamber) are in the balance.
This whole manuscript appears to be a retelling of the bitter end to Susan and Edward's picture perfect marriage. They married as idealistic grad students against the wish of Susan's mother. Soon after it was revealed that Edward was little more than a dreamer and wasn't the strong person that she needed. Edward's bitterness towards their eventual divorce is laid out plainly in his book. Tony is a weak man who struggles to protect his wife from the clutches of death. Later in the book, he hooks up with unorthodox Detective Andes (Michael Shannon) who is determined to see justice. Revisiting her old life leads Susan to some hard truths. Although Hutton is the strong-willed husband that she always wanted, he is also just a playboy with a ring. The art that she has believed in for some many years has lost all value to her and now she is simply keeping up appearances. Edward has perhaps morphed into the successful and daring writer she always hoped, but why has he approached her?
Ford's fascination with the dark underbelly of humanity is what gives Nocturnal Animals its wonderful edge. Tony's descent from being a mild mannered coward to a bloodthirsty hound is utterly believable. Paralleling Edward's anger towards his unexpected life turn, both characters are filled to the brim with an unshakable sadness. Susan feels cold reading this story, but it also expands upon her regrets over the way their marriage ended. When the brutal act of betrayal is revealed, suddenly the content on Edward's novel become frighteningly clear. As Tony hunts down Ray, it feels like a Tiger slowly crawling out its cage. Tom Ford fills the air with unspoken hatred and these are some of the most memorable scenes imaginable. There is such raw emotion involved with this picture, it will make us all revisit past breakups and question our motives. Visually Ford's direction is a treat throughout. With such ease, he drags his audience into this world of pain and makes us unable to look away.
Amy Adams gives another mesmerising performance as Susan Morrow. On the one hand, she is a successful and confidence woman, but Adams gives her a deep anguish beneath her perfect appearance. Jake Gyllenhaal is marvellous twice over, as Edward, he is a headstrong idealist who is unable to read between the lines. Playing Tony, he is the loving family man being taken to a dark part of the soul. Gyllenhaal excellently embodies the movie's painful voice and gives a turn of such believable emotion that he steals every scene. Michael Shannon shows why he is one of the most capable supporting actors around. As Andes, he makes the most of his screentime. A detective with nothing to lose, Andes is concerned with procedure and would rather see Tony's enemy dead than go free. Aaron Taylor-Johnson is also suitably creepy as Ray and resists the urge to go OTT. This is one villain whose death we pray for.
Nocturnal Animals is one of the most unforgettable experiences that you might see this year. Tom Ford waited seven years for his return and his wonderfully crafted tale of revenge has been worth the wait.
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