imperfection is perfection
Sporadic film reviews by a wanna-be filmmaker
NOCTURNAL ANIMALS [2016]
Directed by Tom Ford
Written by Tom Ford (screenplay), Austin Wright (novel “Tony and Susan”)
Starring: Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon
Given his background, director Tom Ford’s second film is surprising in that it is not a case of style over substance – there isn’t anything too flashy for the most part, but much of the film has a subtle stylish quality to it, including the the cinematography and the use of colour. However the story is also fantastic; a gritty, violent thriller with a bit of dark humour thrown in for kicks.
It is clear from the start of the film that Susan, a successful art gallery owner, isn’t in a good place mentally. Christ, just look at the opening scene that accompanies the credits! She isn’t sleeping, she is losing faith in herself and her career, and possibly her marriage. It is also established quickly that she is financially well-off.
Without warning, a completed book is mailed to her by her ex-husband of 19 years, Edward, a man that she says she broke up with in a bad way. Cleverly, the film doesn’t show us what that was specifically, rather it uses the book to give us clues. The story Edward has written is a dark, violent and vengeful tale. Julie takes this personally, and it is hard not to see why when we begin to learn about the similarities in personality between the book’s protagonist, Tony, and Edward himself.
It is interesting to watch Susan’s reactions as she reads the story, with many close-up shots, especially her eyes, showing a lot more than she could ever say. The further into the story she reads, the more it affects her mental health. I love the idea of a story within a story, which is obviously not a new trend, but this film certainly offers a few twists on that formula.
What lingers in my mind is how the film slowly reveals itself. The film will occasionally flashback to a moment when Susan was with Edward, and at first the scene won’t make much sense. However, later into the film, an event or scene will explain that flashback, peeling away another layer of the story. These flashback scenes are handled perfectly; Jake Gyllenhaal even looks younger during these scenes, and without the heavy Texan accent he has within the confines of the book, there is no confusion. We always know where we are within the movie.
At first, I thought the ending was extremely premature. But after thinking about it for a bit, it makes perfect sense given the events that preceded it. This is a unique film to be certain, especially during the second and third acts. As for Amy Adams, this is two roles in a row that she has nailed, and each of those roles couldn’t be more different. She even looks very different here. Gyllenhaal doesn’t let us down, unsurprisingly, and Michael Shannon serves as a fine grumbly old detective whose idea of the law becomes slightly warped as the film rolls by.
Impressive, original and well-acted, there isn’t a film I can think of to compare this to – which is an infinitely good thing. Stylish when needed and gritty when it 
counts, this is a multi-faceted film that needs to be seen more than once. And as most of us know, the films you need to watch more than once often end up becoming favourites. The only niggles I have are some aspects of the script and screenplay – a lot of the humour fell flat, and some very tense scenes were undone by some very predictable action, as well as a script that is as sharp as a spoon. Still though, I sure as hell will be watching this one again soon to attempt to piece together this enthralling jigsaw.
Five beers out of a sixer. A second viewing will probably raise that score.
5/6
32 Comments on “NOCTURNAL ANIMALS [2016]”
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imperfection is perfection 
Great review! I really hope a theater near me gets this soon. I’m looking forward to it.
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It is certainly unique! And also filled with great performances. One of the more memorable flicks of the year for sure. Where do you live? I’m in Australia and its playing everywhere, even down here. Hopefully you get to see it soon
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Me too. Not on the “release” radar yet where I am…should be coming soon I think. We’re usually not that far behind the rest of the world.
Jordan, great review! (as always)
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Thanks mate. Whereabouts are you located? Cos Australia usually get stuff late too. Guess we got lucky this week, seems Arrival came out here a day before the US! now THAT is rare!
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I’m one continent over from you – straight left 😉
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Left…. oh you mean we’re on the left? As in you’re from NZ?
Heh, I was thinking ‘there is nothing to the left of us but water!’
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no no…I mean face the world map and go left. i.e. Africa 😀
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ahhhhhhhhh! Cool. Which part? I don’t know many people from Africa, one South African.
I love the diversity within the blogosphere. Its great
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So, now you “know” another South African (but of Swiss descent – so there you have that diversity already). I’m from Johannesburg area! So, Jordan, greetings from (now) sunny South Africa…just had a lovely storm finish off and the sun is out!
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Ahhh cool. Diversity is awesome, so you’re of Swiss descent? That is cool, heh I don’t know where I’m from really – just a mongrel Australian really. I think my great great great grandfather was German, that would explain the irritating ginger streaks in my hair!
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😀
You make me laugh!
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hehe ;P I try not to take myself too seriously 🙂
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So…I’m being vague and not thinking properly. So…directly left (over the ocean)…the bottom southernmost part 😉
Where the lion and antelope roam. Sorry…I’m having a cheeky Monday afternoon
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hehehe
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Great review dude, Amy Adams really is having a successful run at the moment.
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Indeed she is! I want to see this one again as well to piece it together
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That’s a sign of a good movie when you want to put it together and notice things you may have missed on first viewing.
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Totally, that’s why I said there that the ones you gotta watch more than twice often end up becoming favourites. Several of Kubrick’s films are a perfect example of that
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When a movie gets me to think, it is a great thing. I like my brain to be tested.
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Cool review! I’ve been looking forward to Ford’s next film after A Single Man. This definitely sounds like an intriguing follow-up. 🙂
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Why thank you. Yes, this is certainly an intriguing and unique film. Worth a watch or two for sure. Will probably see it again before its gone from the screens 😀
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Great review! I wanted to scream when those credits rolled at the end, but on the walk to the car I’d already interpreted it in 3 different ways. I love movies that get me thinking for days afterwards 🙂
– Allie
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Thanks Allie! I was exactly the same at the end! Then I thought about the scene before that last one, and thought it made sense. I’m definitely going to see this again to pice it together. I’ve seen Arrival twice already too ;D
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Great review man! Glad to hear you liked it. If there’s any movie that has me more excited than Arrival it’s this. And not because I’m much of a fan of Ford or A Single Man, I’m not. But that plot just sounds so enthralling and I’m down for anything that stars Gyllenhaal, Adams and Shannon.
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Yeah man, the cast is awesome. I went to see it on a whim, I had no idea who Tom Ford was. Now I think I need to see A Single Man!
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So jealous you got to see all of those movies already! It opens here tomorrow but the showing times are horrible so I need to wait a week and hopefully it will fit my schedule better. Have you seen Ford’s first movie A Single Man? It’s fantastic!
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I have not seen A Single Man., but after this, I think its now a must-watch for sure!
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Such an interesting and gut-wrenching film although I think it was unnecessarily hard on Amy Adams’ character.
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It was wasn’t it! But given what Ed implies in the book…. maybe she deserved it?
Then again, do you think she was right? The flashback scenes we see don’t particularly show Ed as a weak person, but the book he wrote sure as hell does.
Hehe, so much to chew on when it comes to this film huh?
I read an interview where the director said Michael Shannon’s introduction would be epic. I saw this twice, and the second time round I didn’t notice anything memorable at all. Did you? He was great, especially in the second half, but after reading the interview I did, I guess I was expecting… well, -something!-
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I think the book really is about Ed’s feeling of weakness and powerlessness. I don’t think the book he wrote portrays him as weak so much as powerless. I don’t know what he could have done differently in the fictional situation on the highway.
As for Michael Shannon’s introduction, all I remember is loving his opening line “I’m __________, I look into things around here”. To be honest, the movie had me so on edge that I might not have picked up on whatever awesomeness Tom Ford was teasing.
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powerlessness is a good way to describe it, though his wife is always insinuating that he is weak. I’ve watched this again and still can’t find what is so great about Shannon’s intro. There is a lot to take in though
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