Director: Francis Lee
By Alex Watson
Against the windswept and grey plains of the Yorkshire Moors- debut director Francis Lee has created 2017's most affecting love story. Unfairly labeled 'The British Brokeback Mountain', God's Own Country was a surprise hit at this year's Sundance Film Festival. With a minimal use of words, the sexual tension bubbles all around. Lee also delves deeply into male insecurity and coming to terms with your identity.
Twentysomething Yorkshire lad Joe (Josh O'Connor) is a hard-drinking farmhand who has little in the way of meaningful relationships. Aside from the odd casual male hookups, Joe lives a busy life of keeping the farm together. His father (Ian Hart) is a cold and distant man recovering from a stroke and his nan (Gemma Jones) is simply trying to keep things together. Desperate for help, the family hires Romanian immigrant Gheorghe (Alec Secareanu). As a result, Joe's world is turned upside down.
The way God's Own Country explores relationships is brilliantly observant. Joe's doesn't have much in the way of interaction- the first scene we see him rising and puking his guts out from a night at the pub. A man who expects nothing out of life expect work- we see him going about his isolated existence against the harsh yet beautiful landscape. Lee excellently emphasizes the bleakness and the continually grey sky seems to reflect his mood. While alone we see him kindly tending to the cattle on the farm and lovingly stroking a pregnant cow's body. Here we get a sly glimpse of the love that Joe is capable of giving and in this one moment, he can be something more. Unexpectedly we soon see him engaging in rough sex with another guy in the back of a cattle trailer. The way Joe casually disposes of him afterward says volumes. He prefers to keep things quick and distant as its the only way he knows how. His relationship with his father is limited to orders and him constantly berating him for his failings. Love is a luxury that cannot be afforded so Joe expects nothing in return for his efforts.
Gheorghe's arrival is at first interpreted as a threat. Few words are spoken between the pair- but Lee makes sure each feeling fills the winds in the air. The tension and unspoken desire is almost unbearable at first. Joe treats his new colleague with a barely concealed contempt. When a reaction is finally provoked from Gheorghe, Lee breaks the hostility. For the first time in his life, Joe is treated with a kindness which is completely alien to him. One tender moment sees Gheorghe lovingly treating a graze on his hand- in this one moment you can almost feel Joe's heart swelling. Gheorghe's comes across as a gentle and heartfelt soul which Joe is unaccustomed to seeing in these parts. The way he desperately tries to save a runt sheep from dying is a truly uplifting moment. This man is the answer that Joe has been seeking- yet he refuses to acknowledge it. Lee fills his picture with wonderful little moments which are so simple yet cause the biggest waves. Gheorghe's setting the table for a meal seems to open up a new world of possibility.
At its purest God's Own Country is a movie about how love can change a person. There is a notion of racism and xenophobia- particularly during the pair's opening scenes where Joe degradingly refers to Gheorghe as 'Gypo'. Post-Brexit, this is all the more relevant and believable. But Lee doesn't see the need to portray their love as a forbidden romance. This movie is more about someone being unable to come to terms with the possibilities in front of them. Joe believes in simply getting things done and is unable to return love or affection because he is unaware how to. Slowly the hearts of the audience are torn to shreds as we see our hero struggling against accepting something wonderful. Slowly as his world opens up, Lee's movie starts to radiate joy.
Josh O'Conner is a revelation as Joe and as the young lad, he gives a performance of extreme depth. A character of few words, O'Connor says more in his silence than dialogue ever could. Giving a raw depiction of a man finally experiencing love, O'Connor is simply brilliant. Alec Secareanu is the picture's beating heart though and as Gheorghe, he brings a loving and sweet side. His simple gestures to Joe are what makes this picture widen. Secareanu has a presence that is undeniable and he makes full use of this character's soft side but is unafraid is to be tough when called upon.
God's Own Country is quite possibly the best piece of British cinema that 2017 can provide. A love story that will make its audience feel the entire spectrum of emotions.
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