Review of Nocturnal Animals (2016) by Rocknroll C — 02 Mar 2017

If you enjoy movies that leave you with more questions than answers this one is for you. Only one likable character. That would be Edward. Michael Shannon as the sheriff is meant to be likable, is even terminally ill, but that doesn't make him likable. Edward is only in a handful of scenes so we have to watch Amy Adams who has made a mess of her life, just as her snooty socialite mother (A wonderful portrayal by Laura Linney, as usual) predicted she would.

The fiction within fiction tale of robbery/rape/murder seems like it should be saying something about how Edward has regurgitated his hate for his ex-wife (Amy Adams) in the form of his about to be published novel but if there is a connection it is never explained. Questions about what happens to the fictional husband in the novel - are left unanswered.

What will happen to Amy Adams - has she learned anything? Will she keep her life, boring as it is, the way it is,or make a u-turn? Can she forgive herself for her brutal (By her own admission) treatment of her first husband, Edward? We don't know. Too many plot set-ups left up in the air. Nice photography ... Tom Ford and his cinematographer have given us a series of beautiful frames. If only they added up to something.