Review of Nocturnal Animals (2016) by Bobby H — 24 Dec 2016

Tom Ford knows how to sculpt a film; beautifully shot, costumed and constructed.

Two simultaneous stories, metaphors to each other, are deftly interwoven.

However, unlike his previous film, A Single Man, this one lacks a protagonist for whom an audience might care about. This reviewer was more engaged in the fictional story; Michael Shannon's sheriff with nothing to lose (a lot of fun to watch) and Gyllenhaal's family man seeking revenge provide the film's center of gravity.

My opinion of Amy Adams acting notwithstanding (she adds nothing other than a hanger for the director's wardrobe), her character is an ice-y socialite who is learning the price of her life decisions.

Bottom line - still a very good film.