Violence, Emptiness and âNocturnal Animalsâ
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Susan (Amy Adams) cuts her finger unwrapping an unexpected package from her ex-husband Edward (Jake Gyllenhaal) containing the manuscript of his forthcoming novel. The book is dedicated âTo Susanâ and Edwardâs accompanying note claims her as its inspiration. The blood on her finger foreshadows more to come through emotional bloodletting as well as the novelâs fictional bloodshed.
Nocturnal Animals was adapted from Austin Wrightâs novel by writer-director Tom Ford, probably the only name fashion designer with a parallel career in filmmaking. The scenes of Susanâs present-day life could have been organized on a runway with glamorous precision. She lives in a walled, gated mansion of cold hard surfaces and owns a white cube art gallery displaying ostensibly transgressive installations that no one looks at during the opening (the hors dâoeuvres and conversation are better).