Directed by: Francis Lee
Distributed by: Picturehouse Entertainment
Written by Livvy O’Brien
85/100
In Northern England lies a region known as “God’s Own Country.” This celestial nickname has strong origins in Yorkshire’s beautiful and picturesque countryside. From the rolling hills to the boundless moors, and quaint villages, every detail contributes to an ethereal ambience that feels otherworldly – a place that stands the test of time.
Francis Lee’s feature directorial debut, “God’s Own Country” is an enchanting exploration of the human spirit. This film is a soulful expression of Lee’s life and the emotional journey of living in rural England while having aspirations of attending drama school. As a result, the film is doused in authenticity creating an intimate and honest connection with the audience.
Living on a farm with his father (Ian Hart) and his grandmother (Gemma Jones), Johnny Saxby (Josh O’Connor) grapples with the aftermath of his father’s stroke and his grandmother’s advancing age. In the face of these challenges, Johnny shoulders the weight of the demanding farm work and consequently, he spends a lot of time in solitude. Seeking refuge from his loneliness, Johnny results in impulsive behaviours such as binge drinking and quick flings to drown out the quiet. After a late night escapade, he returns to the farm and discovers that a calf has died in his absence and is scolded by his father. Furious, Johnny’s father hires Gheorghe Ionscu (Alec Secareanu) for extra help during the upcoming lambing season. Johnny and Gheorghe are complete foils to each other. Gheorghe exudes confidence, competence, and gentleness, while Johnny manifests hostility and emotional unavailability. A palpable tension lingers as they go on a camping trip among the ewes, forced into close proximity that only contributes to their obvious dislike for one other. Johnny’s emotional immaturity becomes a stumbling block, obstructing the progression of their work. He’s extremely good at self-sabotage, often taking cheap shots at Gheorghe while keeping his emotional walls intact. Despite many attempts to belittle him, Johnny comes to realise that Gheorghe won’t tolerate any disrespect and will always stand up for himself – even if it means getting into a brawl. A turning point in their relationship happens when a ewe gives birth to a runt that is unconscious and Johnny’s immediate reaction is to put it out of its misery, but Gherorghe silently disagrees and manages to resuscitate the lamb and nurse it back to health. Johnny’s envy towards Gheorghe slowly turns into a silent admiration and their relationship eventually starts to flourish.
While watching, I couldn’t help but notice that the synopsis of “God’s Own Country” echoes the narrative of another romance film from the 2000s that copped a lot of controversy. Two men labouring amidst the tranquil countryside together, wrestling not just in the soil, but with feelings that they can’t quite articulate. Sounds just like “Brokeback Mountain” does it not? Swap out the mountains of Wyoming with the magical moorland of Yorkshire and you have “God’s Own Country.” While both respective films are remarkable, “God’s Own Country” stands not as a mere British counterpart to “Brokeback Mountain” but as a standalone masterpiece.
There is honestly no way I can talk about “God’s Own Country” without mentioning the unforgettable performances. O’Connor’s portrayal of Johnny is a revelation, a raw and unfiltered depiction of a young man struggling to find a balance between his emotions and the demands of rural farm life. O’Connor skillfully brings Johnny’s emotions to life on screen through the most subtle movements; whether it’s a slight twitch of the brow or a quick tense of the jaw, it’s very evident that there is a war in his mind, even without a single word spoken. Johnny is bruised and lonely. Depressive thoughts consume his mind, which is why he doesn’t say much – being vulnerable is the last thing he wants to happen. Secareanu complements O’Connor seamlessly, saturating the screen with a warmth that counteracts the coldness that surrounds Johnny. His expressive eyes and body language convey a depth of emotion that transcends words, leaving the audience no choice but to root for him wholeheartedly. We watch as he succeeds in breaking down Johnny’s walls and inviting him into a new level of vulnerable intimacy. O’Connor and Secareanu’s chemistry is binding. Their words can be hostile and push each other away, but it’s their longing looks and shared gazes that pull each other in.
The cinematography is stunning, as it captures the area in such a way, that Yorkshire basically becomes a character in its own right. Lee and cinematographer Joshua James Richards craft each frame to resemble a work of art. The mugginess of rural England amplifies the melancholy, weaving a sombre tone throughout the film. They utilise the charming surroundings to enhance the emotional depth of the story, like a visual symphony. The weather and character progression work in tandem to set the mood of each scene. As the gloomy and wet English weather sets the initial tone, a transformative shift occurs when Johnny and Gheorghe learn to trust each other. In this pivotal moment, new life blooms, and sunlight graciously beams down on them, as if to let them know that in this moment, everything is bliss.
“God’s Own Country” is a breathtaking film that embraces the audience with both tenderness and intensity. The film weaves a captivating narrative that is driven by passion as it delves deep into the human experience. There is much to love about this film, and I believe that it deserves more recognition than it gets. Unfortunately, it was overshadowed by the buzz of “Call Me By Your Name” premiering just a day before at the Sundance Film Festival. While understandable, it’s frustrating nonetheless. “Call Me By Your Name” feels like a vacation, an escape to the stunning backdrop of Northern Italy during the summer, of course the audience becomes enchanted by it. “God’s Own Country” is emotionally charged and fearlessly unveils the unfiltered challenges of reality.
“God’s Own Country” Trailer
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