Tom Ford thinks his fashion background has brought unfair criticism to 'Nocturnal Animals'.
Tom Ford
The 55-year-old designer has stepped behind the camera for the second time on the movie, and while reviews of the film - which stars Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal - have been largely positive, he is frustrated by remarks the cinematography is "too beautiful".
He said: "I have to say, luckily most of the reviews of 'Nocturnal Animals' have been terrific.
"But the very few criticisms have been that's it's too beautiful, too stylised. I think if I didn't have another life as a fashion designer I wouldn't be hearing that and people wouldn't be judging that."
And Tom insists the glamorous appearances of some of the characters in the film are essential to telling the story of privileged gallery owner Susan (Adams), who is trapped in a joyless existence.
He added to the Guardian newspaper: "Not comparing myself to Hitchcock, but I'll use him as an example. He was notorious for spending weeks on his leading ladies' hair, make-up, look, clothes.
"What most directors do is intentional: how they frame something, whether it's composed or not composed is part of telling the story. In this particular case, that very hard, lacquered, manufactured, glamorous life is part of the story.
"It's key to understanding who Susan is and how she lives. It isn't just random because I wanted to see some beautiful clothes and beautiful hair and beautiful makeup. This is part of the story."
While it has been seven years since Tom's directorial debut, 'A Single Man', he has had his eye on a number of other projects before working on 'Nocturnal Animals'.
He admitted: "There's been work. Thought. And things I turned down.
"And two screenplays I wrote that are not so good and I wouldn't make."
Tagged in Amy Adams Jake Gyllenhaal Tom Ford