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| NOCTURNAL ANIMALS movie poster |
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| Tom Ford director, producer, screenwriter |
There are 2 stories going on at the same time and somewhat interconnected. In one scene we are in the real world and the next scene were are in a fictional world. OK, how does that jell?
In the real world, Susan Morrow is a rich gallery owner living in LA with her husband, who is played by Armie Hammer. He is probably having an affair and their marriage is strained. He takes off on a business trip to New York leaving Susan alone She receives a package in the mail and it is a manuscript of a novel, "Nocturnal Animals" written by her ex-husband, Edward Sheffield, who is played by Jake Gyllenhall. She begins to read the story and the scene shifts to the novel setting.
Tony Hastings, also played by Jake Gyllenhall, is on a road trip with his wife, Laura and daughter India. They have driven many hours, it is dark and they are in desolate West Texas. They come up on a car that begins playing chicken with them and forces them off the road.
As Susan is reading the story, noises break her concentration and we come back to the real world with her. But every time she picks up the book we are transported to the awful story of the Hastings family. They were forced off the road by the 3 thugs and Tony's wife and daughter are kidnapped. He is beaten and taken out to a remote area and dumped. He eventually makes his way to civilization seeking help to find his wife and daughter. Detective Bobby Andes is assigned to the case. Andes is played by the wonderful actor Michael Shannon.
There is a lot to this story both in real time and in the novel. Isla Fisher plays Laura Hastings and she and Amy Adams favor each other so that makes the novel and the real world seem to be parallel in some respects. Susan begins to see this novel as a revenge tale written by her ex about her betrayal in their marriage.
So how does the story end, in real time and the novel? The Travelling Toe is not a spoiler so you will just have to find our for yourself.
This is not a movie for everyone. There is violence, some nudity and bad language, so be aware. Tom does a great job of building the suspense of what is going to happen next using music, loud heart beats and other sounds that escalate, then soften, then escalate.
CAST:
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| Amy Adams Susan Morrow |
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| Armie Hammer Hutton Morrow |
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| Jake Gyllenhaal Edward Sheffield (real world) Tony Hastings (novel) |
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| Isla Fisher Laura Hastings |
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| Ellie Bamber India Hastings |
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| Michael Shannon Detective Bobby Anders |
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| Aaron Taylor-Johnson Ray Marcus |
The Travelling Toe gives this movie 2 middle toes up with a map of West Texas cause you just might not have GPS or Cell reception way out yonder!
Disclaimer: The Travelling Toe is not a professional critic and any opinions expressed are for entertainment purposes only.
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