The opening scene of Tom Ford’s newest feature film, “Nocturnal Animals”, is something out of a trippy dream. A couple of obese, middle-aged women- clad in red, white and blue bikinis- prancing around with a sparkler in each hand. Time moves in slow motion, the sparks from their wands pulsating like twinkling stars. You want to laugh at the absurdity of it, but you can’t. It’s weird, it’s random, it’s disturbing- but in a strange way, it’s captures the essence of the film perfectly.
“Nocturnal Animals” is a story within a story. Susan Morrow (Amy Adams) is a Los Angeles gallery-owner who seems to have the ideal life. She’s rich, lives in a luxurious house, goes to lavish parties, and is married to Hal (Armie Hammer), a successful businessman. But beneath the bedazzled surface, Susan’s happiness has started to wane. Things get even more complicated when she receives a package from her estranged ex-husband, Edward (Jake Gyllenhaal). Edward has sent her a copy of his latest manuscript and has dedicated it to her. As Susan starts to read it, she’s forced to come to terms with an emotional turmoil from her past.
Watching this film is like stepping into a black-and-white noir from the 1940s. Every shot is meticulously crafted, and each scene is carefully executed. Like I said, the plot has many layers. The film cuts back and forth between the past, the present, and the world of the manuscript (a revenge thriller. It sounds confusing, yes, but the scenes are sequenced in an interesting way that makes it easy to follow.
With that said, certain stories are better than others. Each of them are told wonderfully, don’t get me wrong. Though the narrative of the manuscript is the most compelling of the three, and that makes the others parts of the film feel a little slow. But not so much so that it makes the others parts less interesting. Ford still manages to balance the three by maintaining a high level of tension and suspense throughout.
Overall, the acting is pretty strong. Amy Adams goes a good job as the main lead. The character she has to portray is emotionally hardened, which is understandable once you see what she’s been through. And while she doesn’t have much of a personality, Adams brings enough charm to the role to make it interesting. Aaron-Taylor Johnson is unrecognizable as Ray, the antagonist of the novel Susan is reading. He embodies the slimy, creepy, and psychotic character so well that he just looks totally different. The stand-outs are Jake Gyllenhaal as both the ex-husband and the novel’s protagonist, and Michael Shannon as a police detective. I’ve heard critics say that either could be nominated for an award, and I’d be lying if I said I disagree.
If anyone goes into “Nocturnal Animals” expecting a fast-moving thriller, you’re going to be disappointed, bored even. It’s a slower-moving film, one that’s good for at least one viewing. There’s something disturbing about it, a sense of coldness and emotional stagnancy that’s more fascinating than it is entertaining. I don't see it having much replay value in its future. It's a strong film nonetheless, and one that I recommend people see at least once.
