Review of Nocturnal Animals (2016) by Dana F — 09 Jul 2017
Don't be discouraged by the bizarre and uncomfortable title sequence - the movie isn't as weird as that would lead you to believe (I mean, seriously, what is up with that intro?!). This movie tells a story within a story, weaving in and out of reality, flashbacks, and the story told in the eponymous novel that Amy Adams' character reads throughout the film.
The layers are not only in its narrative but also in genres, blending a character drama into a suspense thriller into a surprisingly low-key revenge tale. Even so, it somehow maintains a consistent tone and style, which is no easy feat.
It's innovative storytelling and is spectacularly beautiful from start to finish... which is to be expected coming from writer/director Tom Ford. This is only his second film (after the heartbreaking and breathtaking "A Single Man"), but he has clearly established his aesthetic, both of his films are true works of art.
This film doesn't quite achieve the level of brilliance that his first film did, as it doesn't have the same emotional punch... but the story is much more complex and involves many more characters, and even then, it's pretty close.
The tone and style were clearly influenced by Hitchcock, but Ford adds his own personal flair to it. It also features superb acting by all parties...and there are a lot! As great as Michael Shannon is (whose Oscar nod was deserving), I can't even say that his is a standout performance because everyone is so damn good in this.
On the down side, there is some choppy editing and it tends to drag in parts. And some may be turned off by the seemingly abrupt ending... though I am not one of those people. It may seem at first that there is no resolution to the story, but oh, there is.
.. everything you need to know is right there in Adams' face. The movie doesn't hand it to you, you have to figure it out for yourself, but it's a pretty genius setup. If you like moody, atmospheric crime thrillers that are more than meet the eye, definitely check it out.
This review of Nocturnal Animals (2016) was written by Dana F on 09 Jul 2017.
Nocturnal Animals has generally received positive reviews.
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