Nocturnal Animals (2016)

An art gallery owner is haunted by her ex-husband's novel, a violent thriller she interprets as a veiled threat and a symbolic revenge tale.

Nocturnal Animals (2016)

A wealthy art gallery owner receives a draft of her ex-husband's new novel, a violent thriller she interprets as a veiled threat and a symbolic revenge tale.

Brilliant direction and cinematography and an excellent cast can't quite conceal the inconsistency of embedding a fictitious thriller within a romantic revenge tale and making it its trigger; the ending therefore is more powerful than the novel and would work even without all the contrivance.

A Single Man (2009)

An English professor, one year after the sudden death of his boyfriend, is unable to cope with his typical days in 1960s Los Angeles.

Intense psychological study, the professor's homsexuality just one aspect of his person, has a timeless quality to it (you hardly notice that it is set in the 60s) and offers Colin Firth one of his best roles.

On rewatching: the story appears a bit silly and maybe it's satirical; visually, the movie is a joy to watch.

Maltin***: "Flawlessly detailed visualization of Christopher Isherwood's landmark novel benefits from a superb performance by Firth, but its resolute restraint also keeps it a bit aloof at times. Impressive directorial debut by fashion designer Ford..."

A Single Man (2009)

An English professor, one year after the sudden death of his boyfriend, is unable to cope with his typical days in 1960s Los Angeles.

Intense psychological study, the professor's homsexuality just one aspect of his person, has a timeless quality to it (you hardly notice that it is set in the 60s) and offers Colin Firth one of his best roles.

Maltin***: "Flawlessly detailed visualization of Christopher Isherwood's landmark novel benefits from a superb performance by Firth, but its resolute restraint also keeps it a bit aloof at times. Impressive directorial debut by fashion designer Ford..."