Fierce Creatures: Review of Nocturnal Animals

Nocturnal Animals

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.

Flying Colours: Review of Sully

Sully

Director: Clint Eastwood

By Alex Watson

Flight 1549 surviving the impossible odds in the Hudson River makes for an engrossing experience and Clint Eastwood's Sully is a fascinating look at what it means to be a hero. Tom Hanks' look at the fated Chesley Sullenberger is one of great moral conflict and doubt and Eastwood makes this man out to think of himself as anything but a saviour to the lives of the 155 people he saved. It does also intriguing questions about whether Sully landing the plane in the river was the right move?

Taking off from New York's LaGuardia Airport, U.S Airways flight 11549 hits trouble less than three minutes after taking off when both engines fail after being hit by a flock of birds. Certain they are unable to make either of the nearby airports, Captain Chesley Sullenberger takes the bold move of landing in the Hudson River. Hailed as a hero after saving the lives of all 155 passengers, the investigation of his crash by the NTSB seems determined to prove he was at fault.

In Sully Eastwood is keen to pay homage to the real genius in flying that took and this sequence is breathlessly executed, there is no frantic screaming or panicking in the cockpit, just a pair of experienced flyers keeping a very cool head. His actions may have love letters being written in the press, but Sully is a deeply conflicted man. Throughout he experiences recurring nightmares of fiery deaths that could have occurred. The NTSB seem determined to railroad this man along with his equally heroic co-pilot Jeff Skiles (Aaron Eckhart) and are convinced that the plane's left engine was still operating and they could have safely landed. Smartly Eastwood delays the full reveal of the events of that cold morning on January 15, 2009, and everything we learn we soon begin to distrust. Sully remains convinced this was the right action, but everyone bar Jeff seems to doubt him.

Overwhelmed by both the attention and the possible threat of losing his wings, Sullenberger's explanations and steadfast theories about his crash landing are quickly dismissed. The committee seems to overlook the fact they lost both engines at less than 2800 feet has never happened before "Everything is unprecedented until it happens for the first time!" he dryly explains to his accusers. 40 years flight experience seems to count for nothing here, Sully doesn't want the celebrity which has gone with his selfless act, he simply wants to be proven right. His second-guessing of his actions gives the film a great shadow of doubt and Eastwood puts the judgement firmly at this audience. Was this a brilliant showcase of flying or did he merely luck out? Life at home has become firmly strained and his wife Lorraine (Laura Linney) is beginning to creak under the intense press scrutiny.

Perfectly paced throughout, Sully is a picture that makes you stand up and pay attention. Refreshingly Eastwood stays true to this characters modesty and there are no big or heroic speeches nor is there any huge dramas in between. His final review with the NTSB stubbornly refuses to release big fireworks and prefers the images on the screen to tell it like it really is.  His knowledge of his craft is what really pays the difference and through a meticulous and determined plea, he is able to swing things in his favour. This movie is a wonderful character study of what can come from doing what is right. Saving the lives of people still comes at a price and both Eastwood and Hanks never once overly glorify this character. This piece is also a tribute to the combined fast response times of New York's finest which just shows that coming together can sometimes mean everything.

Tom Hanks is very much the glowing heart of the picture through his well measured and understated turn he holds the screen with vigour. Effortlessly playing the everyman turned possible pariah, Hanks' channelling of his inner conflict is magnificent to watch. Sullenberger is a man who is beginning to wilt under the spotlight and badly wants his actions to be justified. His refusal to simply given and admit fault gives his character a wonderful determination and makes us want him all the more to be cleared. Aaron Eckhart also holds up well as Jeff Skiles and provides a strong presence alongside Hanks and is very much the one positive voice he hears. During the crash scenes, Eckhart shines brightly as he lets Skiles experience speak for itself and would very much be the man you wish have next to you in the cockpit.

Sully is a picture that deserves awards consideration if only for Hanks alone and this is one of the more enticing character studies during this awards season. Also by the time Clint has finished, you will know exactly how to crash land a plane.