Nocturnal Animals (2016)
2016
R
116 Minutes
A woman named Susan receives a book manuscript from her ex-husband — a man she left 20 years earlier — asking for her opinion of his writing. As she reads, she is drawn into the fictional life...
User Review
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“Nocturnal Animals” is a terrific example that shows us the remarkable results that may happen when a filmmaker and material are perfectly matched made in heaven, or in this case - hell. It tells the story of Susan (Adams), a successful yet emotionally hollow art-gallery developer, upon receiving a manuscript from his ex-boyfriend Tony (Gyllenhaal). And truly, that’s where the madness begins.
As the story starts, we see the three narratives unfold – there’s reality, the book-within-the movie, and the flashbacks. And you may guess, it’s pretty convoluted, but it’s not. All because of a tight editing by Joan Sobel and perfect direction from Tom Ford. The film assumes that the audience are geniuses. It takes time for digestion, and when the burp comes, it comes with absolute satisfaction.
Though everything looks elegant and glamorous on the surface (from cinematographer Seamus McGarvey), Nocturnal Animals isn’t afraid to touch on the bleaker side of reality with a handful of enigmatic symbolisms and ambiguous visual cues.
The cast is remarkable. With such a stellar ensemble, everyone is a standout, from frontrunners Adams, Gyllenhaal and Michael Shannon to scene stealers Jena Malone and Laura Linney. But Aaron Taylor-Johnson is an ultimate revelation.
VERDICT: Nocturnal Animals is an ambiguous representation of torment, cruelty and redemption which would linger to your mind every time you would think about it.2 member like this review.
