Writer/Director: Tom Ford
Starring: Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Shannon
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have earned the appreciation of Michael Shannon. Ever since his rise to recognition in the 1990’s, Shannon has become an American icon. Whether it is psychotic serial killers, political leaders or the suspects of murders, Shannon has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Shannon’s finest strength as an actor has often been his powerful screen presence. He is one of those rare actors that has often had an aptitude for stealing the show in supporting roles that have limited screen time. Even when he isn’t a main focus of a movie, Shannon has never lost his ability to entertain. An actor with a larger than screen presence, Shannon has made several movies earning a big audience. Known for his distinct approach of method acting, Shannon has built a legacy that’s lasting. Throughout a lasting career, Shannon has made many commemorated movies which are definitely worth talking about without a single doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Shannon and adore all films which he has created in his career. However, “Nocturnal Animals” is my favourite. Released in 2016, Tom Ford’s movie offered a powerful adaptation of a beloved mystery book. Packed with breathtaking production, bold storytelling and strong acting, it’s one of the finest mystery movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Michael Shannon, who embodies a detective seeking to conduct a murder investigation. Ultimately, what makes “Nocturnal Animals” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most movies about fashion, the film tackles strong themes which everyone will relate to. A mesmerizing mystery masterpiece, there countless strong reasons why “Nocturnal Animals” is a commemorated movie which is worth seeing.
Based upon the celebrated book, “Nocturnal Animals” follows a woman haunted by broken marriage causing obstacles. Amy Adams plays Susan Morrow, a fashion designer with a love for paintings which she has grown to treasure. Susan has always shared a complicated bond with her ex husband Edward (Jake Gyllenhaal). Following a broken marriage causing tensions, Susan has lost touch with her ex husband in a separation. However, Susan’s life dramatically changes when she reconnects with a ex lover causing a disaster. As she discovers shocking secrets about her husband’s mysterious past, Susan begins to question how long their bond will last. Faced with an intense dilemma, Susan questions whether she will ever be able to find freedom in a doomed marriage which causes trauma.
Tom Ford is fascinated with the theme of grief. A fantastic filmmaker, Ford has often created memorable movies about grief causing people to face disaster. His iconic film “A Single Man” offered a powerful portrait of a single gay man enduring marriage tragedies. With “Nocturnal Animals”, however, Ford created his first ever mystery adaptation. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to adapt a beloved mystery book but he succeeded tremendously. Using captivating cinematography, Ford demonstrates a fashion designer seeking to mend fractured marriages causing tragedy. Evoking David Frankel’s “The Devil Wears Prada”, Ford employs montages to capture the lives of fashion designers facing a dilemma. For instance, montages enhance the art gallery scene. During this engaging scene, Susan attends an art gallery involving painting causing tension. Montages are tricky to use in movies. As Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel” did demonstrate clearly, montages elevate commemorated comic book movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through captivating visuals, Ford captures tension that stylish commemorated fashion designers are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Nocturnal Animals” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is very well made. Ford effectively uses costumes to capture the lives of fashion designers which experience tension. Throughout the film, the costumes that Susan wears play a crucial role showcasing her personality. For instance, the costumes enhance the painting selling scene. During this memorable scene, Susan engages in an auction seeking to sell her paintings in a competition. Through stunning costumes, Ford creates a portrait of fashion designers that is compelling. Moreover, the musical score is also magnificent. Abel Korzeniowski’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the burden that fashion designers bear. Using bold production design, Ford captures the lives of fashion icons that decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Nocturnal Animals” is a film about fashion which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and expertly uses narration to convey the lives of fashion designers facing tensions. Throughout the movie, Ford uses captivating narration to capture the struggle experienced by fashion designers. For instance, voice over narration enhances the opening scene. During this memorable scene, Susan expresses her strong views on her broken marriage through strong narration. Narration is a complicated technique to use in movies. As Guillermo Del Toro’s “The Shape of Water” demonstrated, narration enhances fantasy epics. However, it works immensely in this movie. Through a bold screenplay, Ford captures the lives of fashion icons facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Michael Shannon delivers one of his greatest performances as Bobby Andes. Shannon first earned appreciation for playing corrupt police officers experiencing tension. With “Nocturnal Animals”, however, he took on his most tricky role. It isn’t easy to portray a sheriff engaging in a life of crime causing catastrophe but he succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, bold and emotional in his most unforgettable role. Shannon has often thrived playing emotional heroes in pressure, and “Nocturnal Animals” showcased his strength as an actor. Through stunning expressions, he captures the angst, grief and trauma of a sheriff enduring tension. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actors working in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Michael Shannon, the supporting cast is also amazing and deserving of appreciation. Amy Adams is amazing, capturing the anxiety of a woman that faces a broken marriage in a tragedy. Jake Gyllenhaal is phenomenal, and captures the tension faced by a writer facing a downfall. Lastly, Aaron Taylor-Johnson merits recognition. As a dark criminal, he brings an air of tension to the movie.
Finally, “Nocturnal Animals” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing dark authors facing obstacles. Unlike most murder mystery movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It tackles compelling themes such as identity, grief and trauma that would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the legendary book to appreciate it. It delivers a bold message about trauma which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Nocturnal Animals” is one of those rare mystery movies which everyone would adore.
Fans of Michael Shannon would appreciate “Nocturnal Animals” and so will audiences seeking exhilarating entertainment. A bold murder mystery, it honours an actor which established a lasting legacy.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking crime film about women trapped in a broken marriage causing damage, it’s a dazzling reminder of a commemorated actor with courage that has manufactured unforgettable movies which have never lost their abilities to engage audiences in the modern age.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 