a different way, without preconceptions. Gemma Jones and Ian Hart. complete this masterpiece that I intend to see again tonight with a group of friends who, like me, don't know the first thing about the film, other that I loved it. Francis Lee I'm joining the chorus with a heartfelt, thank you.

define. The most dazzling part of this film is the two young leads, Josh and Alec. It has been many, many years since I have seen a film where two individuals had as much chemistry between them, and the work that Josh and Alec put in to their character leaves the audience deeply and emotionally connected to both characters throughout the entirety of the movie. I could feel the lust between the two when they were on stage, and the heartbreak that happens when a fight occurs. The emotional performances by the two leads make the great movie even better. Props must also be given to Francis Lee-- as a first time director, this is not the movie we in the audience were expecting. It was as masterful, as poignant, and as beautiful as any established director could have done. It was an honor to watch this film, and I cannot wait to follow the career of the director-- after what he did here, I know much more greatness is on the way. I have not stopped thinking about this film for 3 days after I saw it. It won't leave me for a long time, because there is so much to thing about and so much to celebrate. I cannot wait to see it again, and I encourage you to see it as soon as you possibly can- - this is what independent cinema can look like when done masterfully!

and lonely for Johnny Josh O'Connor . Since his father's stroke, he runs the farm by himself but all he gets is scowling disapproval from his ageing parents. He vents his anger and frustration in drunken binges and rough furtive sex with other gay men in a village wary of anyone who is different. A handsome Romanian seasonal worker Gheorghe Alec Secareanu is hired to help during the lambing season and Johnny's rural racism erupts in verbal taunts. Called a gypsy once too often, Gheorghe confronts him with intense physicality and the relationship changes instantly. While tending the sheep, they spend a few nights in an isolated shelter and their first sexual encounter terrifies and confuses Johnny who has never known tenderness and emotional acceptance. Gheorghe's sensitivity compels Johnny to confront his inner fears and discover his emotional self.This is a complex film on several levels. The story barely moves forward in this cold, lonely, inhospitable place, with the narrative energy coming entirely from its earthy filming style and intense, authentic characterisation. The camera accentuates the slow pace of life by lingering on empty spaces, small details, and nature's ways. A close-up of a butterfly, misty morning light, the birth of a lamb, panoramas of harsh beauty in frosty air, all take on meanings beyond what we see. The depth and nuance of acting by O'Connor and Secareanu is the film's powerhouse. The silences are long and dialogue sparse, and much is communicated through action. Initially there is little to like about Johnny: we cannot get close to someone who is so distant from himself. Gheorghe is the opposite: intuitive, warm, and empathetic. The chemistry between them progresses from turbulence to deep acceptance and each step of the journey is raw and exposed. Intimacy between males is still a frontier in cinema and this film breaks through.Like Brokeback, this is a genre-defying, coming of age, drama-rich love story. Today's audiences expect realism in human relationship stories and this film offers a full-frontal exploration of masculine sexuality and emotional self-discovery. This is a love story of universal relevance that transcends the usual clichés of romance. It is brave cinema with cutting-edge honesty.

passionate sex scenes but also in the love for the animals in the antagonists care and in the tenderness of the two young men's growing relationship, the word love is never used but that is exactly what this film is about. With simply marvellous performances from the entire cast not just the two leads this is an amazing piece of film craft.I must warn viewers that the sex in this film is full on and this had me cringing with embarrassment, i saw the film with a reasonable audience in my local cinema but the crowd vanished quickly the moment the lights went on, i stayed to watch some marvellous nostalgic 8mm vintage film of farming methods long ago, all shot in splendid if very rare British summer sunshine,evoking a simpler era than we live in today, this footage runs over the end credits.

there is a tenuous seepage of intent to shuck off the tough carapace called life, but how can he? Barely feels loved at home and elsewhere, therefore he is incapable of love, what he needs is a guide, a life coach, and this luxury materializes in the form of Gheorghe Secareanu , a Romanian migrant worker who lends a helping hand during the lambing season, Josh's blokeish coping strategy to a stranger is gradually encroached through the exclusive time the two spend together working all day and sleeping under the same roof at night, once the carnal knowledge is kindled started with a sensuous mudflat tussle and segues into more tender intimacy days after , a congenial bonding process takes its inchoate existence, compounded by Martin's another stroke and reaches a moratorium with Gheorghe's abrupt leave parochial racism gives homophobia a run for its money in this case .Status quo is forever broken once love has been tasted, and taking on the responsibility as the householder, Johnny needs to do things in his way, but not without both Martin and Deirdre's consent, which is limned with subtle yet earnest felicity through Lee's earthy, touching script, which is fused with his autobiographical touches but never undercuts the story's pulsating veracity in its characterization. For once, a gay romance sincerely earns an auspicious ending in lieu of playing up pathos or resorting to hokey ambiguity, GOD'S OWN COUNTRY is Lee's masterpiece, impeccably marries its indigenous elements sheep's parturition, lamb's death and flaying are all given an unadulterated presentation with Johnny's own rite-of-passage, learning to open up his heart and allow someone into his world, to feel the purity of love and thrill, to be honest, responsible and sensible. Newcomer Josh O'Connor delivers a visceral, unforced, achingly arresting performance and is particularly impressive in revealing Johnny's rougher edges, whereas Alec Secareanu oozes more world-savvy gravitas with a more practical attitude, yet is also able to radiate soul-reaching warmth over a single gaze when the story requests, both bring a fresh look on the urbanized gay stereotypes and brings home the film's simple credo: love is love, it can be germinated between any two human beings, no prerequisites are needed. Veterans Ian Hart and Gemma Jones are also worth their salt in pitch-perfect register of their roles' inner thoughts whether garnished with wording or its vehement connotations.Years to come, and seen through rose-colored glasses, GOD'S OWN COUNTRY will be enshrined as another touchstone of queer cinema, even if it were only for his devout naturalism and humanism, Francis Lee should join the ranks of Ang Lee, Todd Haynes or at least his fellow countryman Andrew Haigh, as a high priest in chasing the hidebound hetero-normativity into obsolescence.

spread over time. I was happy to see that the story was less predictable than one assumes after having read the synopsis. Unlike in other movies, this time it is not the village people that cause trouble by frowning on gay relationships. Even Johnny's father and grandma don't make a fuss when finding out what is happening between Johnny and Gheorghe. I like these deviations from the usual downtrodden path, and I applaud that this movie introduces new elements. It allows us to follow the interesting route that this relationship takes, in any case not straight from A to B I use the word "straight" here with hesitation, no pun intended .An important plot element is that Johnny cannot cope with all the work before him, next to his ailing father who wants things done the way he always did in past years, issuing commands and criticism to that effect, without even considering to drop some parts of the farm or using new techniques that may help alleviate the workload. It is remarkable that Johnny does not stand up against the status quo. Even when halfway the running time the father falls victim to a second stroke, one that does not bode well for his complete recovery, Johnny insists that he "will manage" despite demonstrating that he cannot.An external trigger event is definitely needed in making very apparent that there is more work than there is time. His father's stroke in combination with Gheorghe's decision to leave due to anticipating problems in his relationship with Johnny, forces a breakthrough. Johnny tells his father that he leaves the farm for a short while to meet Gheorghe, and to convince him to return , and that he has plans how the farm should be run after his return. He insists that several things must change to start doing things his way, and that he cannot continue at all cost how his father did it in the past.All the above combined takes care that there are ample developments to keep us awake all the running time. The characters are interesting enough and not made from cardboard, and the turns of events are not caused by the usual interference from the villagers when gay relationships are involved, but come directly from unlucky circumstances and doubtful decisions by the main protagonists.All in all, next to downplaying the overly popular romantic view on running a farm, this movie also does a good job of introducing a fresh take on gay relationships. Sex is not the main binding element here, nor is resistance from the environment an issue driving them apart. Though not essential for the plot, sightseeing through the landscapes of Yorkshire works as icing on the cake. A minor problem that I have with the plot is that Johnny continues too long on his father's leash, and is very late with allowing extra help or forcing some other way out of the work overload. Even after his father's second stroke, when it becomes abundantly clear that he cannot cope, he still insists that he "will manage". I missed the reasons behind the overdue switch to his new attitude that "things have to change here". Maybe a nitpick on a well-made movie, that has a lot of other things to offer, making it a worthwhile watch anyway.

in the form of a Romanian emigrant worker, played by Alec Secareanu.The film is awaiting a commercial release so a full review isn't possible but let me say that the film is terrifically acted, beautifully shot, occasionally erotic and gut-punchingly emotional. It doesn't skirt away from the realities of the harshness of either farm life or the challenges of living as a gay man in a rural community. Thick accents make the film difficult to understand at times, but a scene between Johnny and his father Ian Hart that culminates in two crystal-clear words will make you shudder.There are some striking similarities to the Lee adaptation of the Annie Proulx story shirt smelling, again? , but it stands on its own and is, in some ways, an improvement. The ending, in particular, is significantly more uplifting. It also has something to say about the value of immigrants that could stand to be heard in this country.This is one to look for in a few months at your local independent or art house theater.www.worstshowontheweb.com

bladdered in the local pub; and having quick, frantic homosexual couplings with strangers the kind of sex that involves hardly any removal of clothing and spitting on the bottom of the, um, bottom .But then, against Johnny's protestations that he can cope with the work, a migrant worker is hired "the only bugger who applied" to assist during lambing season. Gheorghe Alec Secăreanu turns out to be the smoulderiest Romanian you ever did see. He's also kind, gentle, wise and understanding. He even proves to be a dab hand at skinning a lamb, as is seen in leg-crunching detail - vegetarians prepare to feel smug! For how long will Johnny be able to resist the charms of this romantic Romanian hero?Gheorghe's lack of flaws was pointed out to writer/director Francis Lee at the preview screening I attended at the British Film Institute who helped with the film's funding . The best Lee wearing what I honestly at first thought was a false beard - when oh when will this hipster fad end?! could come up with was Gheorghe "can't drive a tractor". But lack of tractor-handling abilities aside, Gheorghe's seeming perfection is unbelievable in what is otherwise a very down-to-earth production, and thus a bit of a flaw for the film. Another flaw is Cheltenham boy O'Connor's Yorkshire accent, which is distracting when it wavers very occasionally he sounds more like he's just stepped off the set of 'EastEnders' than that of 'Emmerdale' . But O'Connor should be proud of the restrained way in which he portrays Johnny's gradual flowering from closed-off, unlikeable human being - it is totally believable. Secăreanu is given less to do other than be perfect husband material, but he deserves congratulations for delivering so well lines in what is, presumably, his second language.All-in-all this is a film that, although not perfect, is certainly worth seeing, as a study of the hope offered by love and how that love is often put at risk.