Turning an ordinary story of romance into an unusual film, writer and director Tom Ford delivers Nocturnal Animals to the screen. Interestingly written, the movie twists and turns as it visualizes a book through the mind of the reader. It’s a different kind of film, one that needs a firm understanding of what it’s all about as it progresses. Is it a love story or one of revenge? Some may not get it at first, but that’s ok, because the thriller that she’s reading is a movie in itself.
Owner of an art gallery, Susan Morrow (Amy Adams) receives a package left in her mailbox with a rough copy of a book called Nocturnal Animals. Written by her ex-husband Tony Hastings (Jake Gyllenhaal) who she divorced a long time ago, she’s startled yet intrigued that he would send the manuscript to her. The note accompanying the book tells her to read it and contact him as he’s visiting her city.
As she starts to read the book she imagines herself as the wife (played by Isla Fisher) of the lead protagonist Edward Sheffield (played by Jake Gyllenhaal) and her daughter India (Ellie Bamber) as the young girl in the car riding along a deserted highway. The story gets shocking as they gets forced off the road by a car driven by three rough looking men. The men start to get angry telling Edward that the accident was his fault and he’ll have to report it when he reaches the next town. Before he can reason with the man the other two start assaulting the women.
So beings a night of terror for the Sheffield’s and the reader Susan Morrow as she gets deeper into the book. Director and writer Tom Ford (A Single Male) keeps his film moving along at a fast clip after a thought-provoking opening. Using the fascinating technique of seeing through the mind of the reader experiencing the story, does make it compelling. But, it’s also very challenging as the filmmaker crafts his story with little revealing back story.
The acting by Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Shannon makes the film work giving the plot a Fargo feel within Susan Morrows mind. Gyllenhaal plays a double role in the film showing him as the successful book writer Hastings, then as Sheffield caught up in a terrifying attack on himself and family. He goes from ordinary to beyond panic-stricken. In the latter scenes he reminds me here of the vengeance he showed in Prisoners.
Shannon takes on the role of Detective Bobby Andes who gets handed the case to find the missing women after being reported by Sheffield. He’s very methodical, skeptically checking out Sheffield’s story then finding enough evidence that he’s telling the truth. Kind of jerk water townie, Andes approaches the crime as an opportunity to show off his detective skills.
Nocturnal Animals has been rated R by the MPAA for violence, menace, graphic nudity, and language.
FINAL ANALYSIS: This quirky film has a very good subplot that doesn’t’ do the main story any justice.
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Isla Fisher, Karl Glusman, Ellie Bamber, Armie Hammer, Laura Linney, Andrea Riseborough, Michael Sheen.
Directed and written by: Tom Ford
Genre: Mystery, Romance, Crime, Thriller
MPAA Rating: R for violence, menace, graphic nudity, and language
Running Time: 1 hr. 56 min.
Release Date: November 23, 2016
Distributed by: Focus Features
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
