It’s hard to ignore the current state of affairs in our nation, considering the shortcomings of presidential candidates compared to the person currently holding office, the ongoing issues surrounding police brutality towards minorities, and the financial burdens many face with student loans that don't guarantee a secure future. Does any of this feel unsettling? Any sense of ease won’t be found within Tom Ford’s second directorial effort, *Nocturnal Animals*. The director deliberately pushes you to confront discomfort, resulting in what is arguably one of the most beautiful and disturbing films of 2016. > From writer/director Tom Ford comes a haunting romantic thriller of shocking intimacy and gripping tension that explores the thin lines between love and cruelty, and revenge and redemption. Academy Award nominees Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal star as a divorced couple discovering dark truths about each other and themselves in NOCTURNAL ANIMALS. Tom Ford begins the film with an extended close-up of several nude older women dancing; it’s imagery that could easily make viewers uneasy. Rather than focusing on specific areas, Ford showcases every detail – fat, loose skin, creases, scars, stretch marks – to challenge your sense of comfort. This isn't about shock value, although there is plenty of that to come, but rather a warning sign for the audience. It’s an indication that nothing will be more unsettling than what comes first, and if you can’t handle this opening, *Nocturnal Animals* promises to be quite a journey. And it truly is. The film employs a dual narrative structure, weaving together Susan's reality with her ex-husband’s novel brought to life. Ford manages to transition between these worlds without relying on an obvious voiceover, creating the impression of watching separate films entirely. He successfully makes you invested in both narratives, and when you begin to question whether they are fictional, a new wave of discomfort arises as you realize one is based in reality. *Tony & Susan*, the 1993 novel that inspired the film, explores how intimate reading can be, suggesting an author’s ability to tap into a reader's thoughts and experiences. Ford achieves something similar through the act of watching. Given his background as a fashion designer, one would anticipate visually striking scenes from Tom Ford, and he delivers. The depictions of Los Angeles and West Texas are breathtakingly beautiful, but it is the contrast between these two environments that truly stands out. The shift from the stylish and unsettling atmosphere of LA to the brutal and violent landscapes of West Texas will again amplify your discomfort. At its core, this is a story about revenge. We learn that Susan, born into wealth, falls in love with an aspiring writer portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal, Tony, but later undermines his artistic ambitions in three distinct ways. First, she discourages him from pursuing his dream of becoming a novelist. Second, she has an abortion. Then, compounding the damage, she leaves him for the handsome Armie Hammer as Hutton. Susan seemingly builds a perfect life with Hutton, only to have her world shaken twenty years after their divorce when Tony quietly sends her a novel about revenge. We experience Susan’s growing dread as she reads it, and without any dialogue, her carefully constructed existence begins to fall apart. Jake Gyllenhaal and Amy Adams provide performances consistent with their reputations. Aaron Taylor-Johnson is chillingly effective as Ray Marcus, and Michael Shannon shines as Bobby Andes. Tom Ford demonstrates that he's more than just a fashion designer turned director; it’s clear that this was his full vision for the film and its dual narratives. He proves that he is a fully realized director because someone less capable would have likely mishandled such a complex project.

Source on TMDB