I’ve never been moved by a movie that so clearly defines the difference between fiction, reality and flashback. I really like Nocturnal Animals. It is a creative story that gets better the more I think about it. And as the novel points out, her cynicism has also deprived Edward of his humanity. Susan criticizes herself for being too weak to be a true artist, but this cynicism deprives her art of all meaning. The major themes get even messier, culminating in a message about art, morality and weakness. Nocturnal Animals is one part crime thriller, one part romantic tragedy and one part revenge story. But it’s also a movie that feels wholly unique. And those who do follow the plot might not enjoy the emotional rollercoaster that ensues. Nocturnal Animals is merciless in its complexity, trusting its audience to aptly understand the plot. Obviously, this movie isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea. What was the turning point in their relationship? Whose fault was it? How did Susan really betray Edward? How did the two end up where they are now? These flashbacks are often set during nighttime, but the film still uses a warm colour palette, suggesting an air of romance and optimism.īut we already know that their marriage will eventually crumble. This forces Susan to think about her first marriage with Edward, a time when things were simpler. While talking to a friend, she describes her latest art exhibit as “pure junk.”
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It’s full of sound and fury, but signifies nothing. And like her marriage, Susan’s artwork is cold and aloof. Unlike the muddy browns of Edward’s novel, Susan’s home and workplace is a stark blend of black and white. The film then cuts back to real life, where Susan lives a life completely devoid of any joy or wonder. While there is minimal violence, the sorrow is painfully breathtaking.
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The novel’s protagonist, Tony Hastings, endures a series of cruel misfortunes. This is primarily because most of the story’s drama is in Edward’s fictional novel. Its tension is a lot quieter, a lot more subtle. Nocturnal Animals isn’t as openly menacing. The trailer is a bit misleading watching it now, it’s clear that the movie is not that kind of thriller. This is Tom Ford’s second movie as the director-writer. The dramatic tension continually swells and refuses to drop. The movie is often painful to watch, drawing out uncomfortable scenes for as long as possible. Nocturnal Animals is a bit challenging, and I’m not talking about the narrative complexity. Susan’s current failing marriage motivates her to read her ex-husband’s novel, while the novel alludes to Susan’s past marriage. These three narratives reference each other as we are presented with new information.
There are three stories told in parallel: the past, the present and the novel. Bobby Andes (Michael Shannon) to find and punish these hoodlums.Īs mentioned earlier, Nocturnal Animals is your typical mise-en-abyme. After his wife and daughter are raped and murdered, Tony must work with Lt. While her second husband is away on a business trip, Susan becomes increasingly immersed into the novel, and reflects back on her past relationship with Edward.Ī good half of screen time is dedicated to Edward’s novel, which is also titled “Nocturnal Animals.” The novel unfolds as Tony Hastings (also played by Jake Gyllenhaal) is driving out to West Texas with his family when they are attacked by a local gang, led by the violent Ray Marcus (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). Susan receives the manuscript for a novel written by her estranged ex-husband, Edward Sheffield (Jake Gyllenhaal). Nocturnal Animals follows Susan Morrow (Amy Adams), an art gallery owner whose marriage with Hutton Morrow (Armie Hammer) is falling apart.
The movie explicitly shows me how the story is just a book, and yet I can’t help but feel moved. This particular idea meets its extreme in Nocturnal Animals, a story within a story that makes me squirm in my seat. You wanna know the power of cinema? Even though we know movies are works of fiction, we can’t help but sympathize deeply with them.
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