The movie opens with a quartet of fat to very fat women dancing naked. When the opening credits finish, it turns out that this is a art exhibit and some very realistic sculptures of the dancing naked women are sprawled on platforms while the dancing versions play on large screens on the wall. The architect of this 'art' show is Susan (Amy Adams). Susan is in a loveless marriage with Hutton (Armie Hammer), her second husband. The morning after her show, a manuscript from her first husband arrives. Susan starts reading and is immediately engrossed by the tale of Tony.
Tony (Jake Gyllenhaal) is driving with his wife (Isla Fisher) and daughter to Marfa, Texas in the middle of the night when he is forced off the road by a trio of hooligans led by Ray (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). The confrontation leads to Tony in one car while his wife and daughter are driven off in the other. Shortly thereafter he is abandoned in the desert. Hiking back to the highway, he is interviewed by Officer Bobby Andes (Michael Shannon), who becomes his ally in tracking down his family.
The book has parallels to Susan and Edward's marriage and breakup. Their relationship is loosely explored via flashbacks. Interestingly, Edward is portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal, demonstrating that she identified Tony as Edward. Susan is deeply affected by the book, often setting it down in the midst of some particularly unpleasant passages. The linking of the book with her first marriage provides a mystery quality to the film. Incidents in the book may or may not reflect incidents in their marriage. The ambiguous ending allows the viewer to decide what it all means.
Not for everyone but I enjoyed it. Well, except for that opening bit.
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