Tom Ford - Maker of beautiful clothes, will now also forever be known as; Tom Ford - Maker of films that make me glow with happiness.
I have to point out that I said 'films that make ME glow' not 'films that make everybody glow' because this film is seven hundred and twenty five shades of fucked up and normal people will probably be quite appalled by it. I am not normal in any sense of the word, so I think its one of the best films I've ever seen.
The fact that this film is so stunningly beautiful to look at; so sumptuous and decadent, has seemingly made me forget that its actually a really horrific story line, involving rape and murder, among other things.
When I think back to watching this - all I see in my head is Aaron Taylor Johnson, and a little bit of Michael Shannon. And Amy Adam's dark crimson lips.
There is so much more to this film than the three components mentioned above and I will try to decipher my thoughts into something that's not total gibberish.
Nocturnal Animals is an American psychological Thriller, with a touch of film noir about it (neo-noir, if you will), written and directed by THE Tom Ford, starring a monumental cast, led effortlessly as always, by Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal.
The premise is an original one, in my opinion; an art gallery owner (Amy Adams) is sent a violent and horrifying novel, written by her ex husband (Jake Gyllenhaal) and sent to her personally, by said ex husband, with a note asking her to read it and share her thoughts with him. As she begins to read, we see the story come to life on screen and unfold in all its psychologically damaging glory.
The story within a story takes place in rural Texas, while the movie takes place deep in the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles. The contrast between the two is wonderfully jarring and purposefully crafted for maximum effect. The clean lines, the grandiose costume and symmetrical Wes-Anderson-esque shots of the real world, interspersed with the sweaty, dark and dingy hopelessness of the novel, is a thing of beauty in itself.
What struck me most, was the performances - they are a collective slap in the face that deserve multiple awards, or nominations at the very least.
Aaron Taylor Johnson stole that entire film for me, and not just because he is so pretty its painful. My eyes did not leave him when he was on screen, even when we see him on an actual toilet, wiping his arse.
I don't think that anyone is quite aware of what this boy from Buckinghamshire is actually capable of - watch this and he will show you.
To many, he is either completely unknown or he's the inferior Quicksilver, that everyone has forgotten at this point.
To me, he is the the multi faceted, master of his craft, who blew me away in Savages and made me cry in Nowhere Boy.
As the main antagonist, Ray Marcus, he plays that silent psycho I'm always banging on about, so charismatic and charming with a southern drawl so perfectly executed you feel a pull in your gut - all this whilst being a despicable, nasty, evil fucker, is no easy feat.
I don't want this post to turn into a love letter to ATJ so I will just say this - if he doesn't get an Oscar nomination, I will be very, very, shocked.
Michael Shannon was another one - he hardly moved, spoke, raised his voice etc. yet he managed to portray such a mysterious and complex character, that it took me a while to decide who's side he was actually on. The man is a genius; utterly enthralling.
Jake is Jake - hes perfect. This was one of his best performances for sure, but then how do you measure perfection against perfection?? I cannot pick one fault in any of his films, not even Bubble Boy.
Amy is Amy - she's faultless.
Isla Fisher, Michael Sheen, the unnaturally good looking Armie Hammer, all integral to the story, all giving amazing, on point, performances.
Laura Linney deserves a mention for playing the big haired, old money Texan, extremely well.
The cinematography, set design, costume, make up, hair, script, score - all perfect.
I wont elaborate on the story at all as I don't do spoilers, but as the story goes on you can pretty much see what motivates him to write such a horrendous story and what damage a broken and viciously betrayed heart can do to a person.
Nocturnal Animals, in all its opulent glory, just goes to prove that pure, irrepressible creativity, can never be limited to one means of catharsis.
P.S. Be prepared for the opening scene - I was forewarned and I thank my lucky stars.
I have to point out that I said 'films that make ME glow' not 'films that make everybody glow' because this film is seven hundred and twenty five shades of fucked up and normal people will probably be quite appalled by it. I am not normal in any sense of the word, so I think its one of the best films I've ever seen.
The fact that this film is so stunningly beautiful to look at; so sumptuous and decadent, has seemingly made me forget that its actually a really horrific story line, involving rape and murder, among other things.
When I think back to watching this - all I see in my head is Aaron Taylor Johnson, and a little bit of Michael Shannon. And Amy Adam's dark crimson lips.
There is so much more to this film than the three components mentioned above and I will try to decipher my thoughts into something that's not total gibberish.
Nocturnal Animals is an American psychological Thriller, with a touch of film noir about it (neo-noir, if you will), written and directed by THE Tom Ford, starring a monumental cast, led effortlessly as always, by Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal.
The premise is an original one, in my opinion; an art gallery owner (Amy Adams) is sent a violent and horrifying novel, written by her ex husband (Jake Gyllenhaal) and sent to her personally, by said ex husband, with a note asking her to read it and share her thoughts with him. As she begins to read, we see the story come to life on screen and unfold in all its psychologically damaging glory.
The story within a story takes place in rural Texas, while the movie takes place deep in the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles. The contrast between the two is wonderfully jarring and purposefully crafted for maximum effect. The clean lines, the grandiose costume and symmetrical Wes-Anderson-esque shots of the real world, interspersed with the sweaty, dark and dingy hopelessness of the novel, is a thing of beauty in itself.
What struck me most, was the performances - they are a collective slap in the face that deserve multiple awards, or nominations at the very least.
Aaron Taylor Johnson stole that entire film for me, and not just because he is so pretty its painful. My eyes did not leave him when he was on screen, even when we see him on an actual toilet, wiping his arse.
I don't think that anyone is quite aware of what this boy from Buckinghamshire is actually capable of - watch this and he will show you.
To many, he is either completely unknown or he's the inferior Quicksilver, that everyone has forgotten at this point.
To me, he is the the multi faceted, master of his craft, who blew me away in Savages and made me cry in Nowhere Boy.
As the main antagonist, Ray Marcus, he plays that silent psycho I'm always banging on about, so charismatic and charming with a southern drawl so perfectly executed you feel a pull in your gut - all this whilst being a despicable, nasty, evil fucker, is no easy feat.
I don't want this post to turn into a love letter to ATJ so I will just say this - if he doesn't get an Oscar nomination, I will be very, very, shocked.
Michael Shannon was another one - he hardly moved, spoke, raised his voice etc. yet he managed to portray such a mysterious and complex character, that it took me a while to decide who's side he was actually on. The man is a genius; utterly enthralling.
Jake is Jake - hes perfect. This was one of his best performances for sure, but then how do you measure perfection against perfection?? I cannot pick one fault in any of his films, not even Bubble Boy.
Amy is Amy - she's faultless.
Isla Fisher, Michael Sheen, the unnaturally good looking Armie Hammer, all integral to the story, all giving amazing, on point, performances.
Laura Linney deserves a mention for playing the big haired, old money Texan, extremely well.
The cinematography, set design, costume, make up, hair, script, score - all perfect.
I wont elaborate on the story at all as I don't do spoilers, but as the story goes on you can pretty much see what motivates him to write such a horrendous story and what damage a broken and viciously betrayed heart can do to a person.
Nocturnal Animals, in all its opulent glory, just goes to prove that pure, irrepressible creativity, can never be limited to one means of catharsis.
P.S. Be prepared for the opening scene - I was forewarned and I thank my lucky stars.