Another perfectly shot, tightly wound film from Tom Ford, expertly crafted in every detail. Nocturnal Animals is a revenge tale within a revenge tale as unhappy art gallery owner Susan Morrow (Amy Adams) receives a manuscript of murder and revenge from her ex-husband (Jake Gyllenhaal). The film editing expertly cuts back and forth between Adams and Gyllenhaal’s long ago relationship, Adams’ glossy, but unhappy current life and her tense reading of the manuscript (Evocative of a much darker ‘Never Ending Story’), and the story within the story itself where Gyllenhaal also plays the protagonist in the novel who is partnered with grizzled West Texas Sheriff Bobby Andes, played to perfection by Michael Shannon. If the film sounds too confusing, it’s not thanks to Ford’s exceptional craftsmanship. This film could have easily turned into a confusing and muddled mess, but even if it had, it would be watching singularly for Shannon’s performance. Seriously. I’ve now come to believe that I would be enthralled watching the man read a phone book. Adams’ delivery is a departure from her usual surety, and her performance wobbles on its stiffness. The character has to tell you what’s happening with her at multiple points… You wouldn’t otherwise know. Ultimately, my biggest criticism of Nocturnal Animals is that it is less than the sum of its parts. Well worth watching for every filmmaking aspect of it, but ultimately, despite an unexpectedly perfect ending, it feels a little empty. Unfortunate for such an otherwise perfect film.
(Arclight Hollywood)