Neo-Noir Thriller "Nocturnal Animals" Starring Jake Gyllenhall and Amy Adams

"Nocturnal Animals" (NA) is a raw, emotional roller coaster that is disturbing, perplexing and riveting.  It's no less daunting for Tom Ford's remarkable screenplay & direction.  Ford made his make in the fashion world for Gucci & now has his own successful line.  He made a remarkable leap from fashion design to his 1st film "Single Man" ('05) starring Julianne Moore & Colin Firth which garnered Critics Choice & Golden Globe nominations.  With NA, Ford proves his  filmmaking talents are not merely a trendy phase,  NA, Ford's 2nd feature is another stunning looking film with exceptional acting that provokes gut wrenching, emotional responses.   NA has  received a Critics Choice & Golden Globe nomination.  Susan Morrow (the incomparable Amy Adams) plays Susan Morrow, a successful gallery owner.  While in art grad school & in NYC she runs into Edward Sheffield (an intense & striking Jake Gyllenhal) an old high school crush from TX.  They quickly spark a romance that leads to marriage despite the snobbish objections of Susan's mother (Laura Linney) who disdains Edward as weak & an unsuccessful writer who won't amount to anything.  Mother knows best (Linny is always marvelous.)  Susan comes to the same conclusion and leaves Edward despite his pleading.  Several years later, Susan is a wealthy, successful art dealer & married to a handsome philandering husband (Armie Hammer.)  Alone while her husband is out of town with another woman, she receives a draft of a novel "Nocturnal Animals" sent by her ex which he's dedicated to her.  The movie has an enticing & mysterious  contemporary noir look.  The cinematography is stunning.  The film cleverly shifts to the novel with Susan's reading  envisioning Edward as the main character, Tony Hastings.  Tony, with his wife & teen daughter set off on a long drive through TX where things take a harrowing & violent turn.  The movie morphs into a psycho crime thriller. The family is ambushed by a menacing trio of thugs.  Tony watches helplessly while his wife & daughter are forcefully driven away.  He manages to evade his captor & contacts the police the following day.  Det Bobby Andes (a forceful Michael Shannon) is assigned the case.  Tony is wracked with quilt and grief when his family is found gruesomely murdered.  The plots of the film & novel are wrought with anguish, tension & confusion and intertwine in a beguiling fashion.  The movie could be summed up in one word REVENGE.  Although, I would add the words, intoxicating, suspenseful and brilliant.