2016 is quickly shaping up to be the year of Amy Adams, Batman v Superman aside. This year has seen the American actress star in two vastly different, yet deeply affecting, films.
Denis Villeneuve's Arrival and Tom Ford's Nocturnal Animals are both in cinemas now, and both are rightfully being labelled as two of this year's best.
The latter, however, is a very different beast to the more, err, alien Arrival. Dealing with darker, more human themes, Nocturnal Animals is a gripping psychological thriller that grabbed me by the throat and very nearly refused to let go.
Adams plays the rich and classy Susan, an art gallery owner who receives the manuscript for a pre-published novel written by her ex-husband Edward.
Dedicated to her, and named Nocturnal Animals after Edward's nickname for her, the novel is a twisted, violent tale, with the events of the novel interspersed throughout the film.
Jake Gyllenhaal stars both as the fictional Tony - the leading character in the Nocturnal Animals manuscript - as well as author Edward in flashbacks.
This intricate, triple-layered narrative leads to an equally intricate triple-layered payoff as events from present, past and fiction come to a head.
It seems remarkable that director Tom Ford, a fashion designer, can switch so effortlessly between past and present, or fiction and reality. But he can, and Ford's hand is very clearly all over this film.
Much like A Single Man, Ford's previous film, Nocturnal Animals is lavish, beautifully shot and feels like an artwork or fashion piece itself.
The entire cast, from Adams and Gyllenhaal, to Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Laura Linney, are excellent and it would be a true shame if Adams and Shannon in particular are not rewarded come awards season.
Nocturnal Animals is a dark, brooding and oddly romantic film that reinforces Tom Ford's talent for film-making and Amy Adams' talent for acting.
Four-and-a-half stars.
Nocturnal Animals:: Director: Tom Ford:: Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Isla Fisher, Laura Linney, Armie Hammer, Karl Glusman:: Rating: R16 - Violence, sexual violence, offensive language & nudity:: Running Time: 115 minutes:: Release Date: November 10, 2016
Newshub.
