Have you ever met someone that is just better at your at everything. it doesn't matter what their experience level is, but they can pick up any skill and be monumentally outplay you? That is what most directors must feel when viewing the work of fashion designer/producer/writer/director Tom Ford. The man has only made two movies, and both of them are masterpieces of film. When I saw his first film, A Single Man, I was stunned at how the movie seemed to have been made by a master auteur. I was shocked to find that the film was Ford's directorial debut! Ford then took a 7 year hiatus from film making, which to my great pleasure, ended this year. His most recent film, Nocturnal Animals, cements Ford as one of the most talented directors in the industry.
To explain the plot of this movie would not do it any sort of justice. The intricate plot is put together like a deck of cards, the slightest misfire and the whole story would crumble. Delicate screenplays such as this one can barely be handled by great filmmakers let alone written by one. Ford takes Tony and Susan, a 1993 novel written by Austin Wright and creates a grim a psychological neo-noir. Most movies that are easily identifiable as noir are known for the sharp black and white photography. Ford and Seamus McGarvey, one of the best cinematographers in the industry, make their noir beautiful and bright. There is no doubt that Ford has an eye for the hues and tones that he wants his film to have. To call the film dark is an understatement. The film is very similar to David Fincher's Gone Girl in many senses, but instead, is far more psychological. The ending could have been an easy a stereotypical cop-out. Obviously without spoiling it, Ford a much more thought provoking, and much sweeter ending to his harrowing tale of love, betrayal and revenge. The film is literary in it's patience to let the plot unfold before your eyes. It also takes shots at the excessive culture we live in as Americans along the way. The performances Ford gets from his wonderful cast of characters is to be noted. To anyone who has seen films of Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Michael Shannon, this should come as no surprise. However, even actors like Aaron-Taylor Johnston, who I previously thought was made up of cardboard shows some real depth as an actor.
In short, Ford is the guy who you hate to love. Everything the man touches turns to gold. very often do we see movies that are visually beautiful while telling a compelling story. Ford's film have his down to a t. I hate to give another film a perfect review. I thought long and hard about the flaws this movie had, and I could not find a false note. Nocturnal Animals is flawless.
Grade: (10/10)
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