A married woman reads the manuscript of a new book written by her former husband. This, essentially, is the setting for 'Nocturnal Animals' the new film from Tom Ford. Much of the film is occupied with a visual representation of the manuscript with the wife imagining her former husband as the book's lead character. Interspersed are moments from the woman's current and earlier life.
Unsurprisingly, visual images and colour motifs are strong points in fashion designer Ford's film. However I found much else to be perplexing in this somewhat 'Hitchcockian' styled movie.
(WARNING: Possible spoiler alerts. Is her current husband having an affair or not? Did she have an abortion and if so which of the men in her life was the father? Does the brief appearance of an adult daughter have anything to do with the plot?)
I like Amy Adams a lot but her performance here, all flicking of hair and distant, moody looks just seems a waste of talent to me. Michael Shannon makes his usual impression and provides the most striking performance in the movie.
If you are sensitive about nudity and/or images of people's toileting habits then you might want to give the film a miss.
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I've been really wanting to see the film, if nothing else than for the visual treatment by Ford. I loved his first film. It was so beautifully shot. Everything was aesthetically pleasing.
ReplyDeleteThe images are the best aspect of the film in my assessment. Most of the rest I could take or leave.
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