Johnny Saxby (Josh O’Connor) works long hours on his family’s remote farm in the north of England. He numbs the daily frustration of his lonely existence with nightly binge-drinking at the local pub and casual sex. But when a handsome Romanian migrant worker (Alec Secareanu) arrives to take up temporary work on the family farm, Johnny suddenly finds himself having to deal with emotions he has never felt before. As they begin working closely together during lambing season, an intense relationship starts to form which could change Johnny’s life forever. Captivating and broodingly beautiful, GOD’S OWN COUNTRY is the award winning debut feature from writer/director Francis Lee. Bracingly open hearted, this is a thrillingly romantic story set in the heart of rural Yorkshire. Both poignant and moving, this finely crafted British film features a host of standout performances, marking it out as an absolute must see. “One of the most assured British debuts of recent years” Sight & Sound “Sensual, surprising and incredibly affecting” ★★★★★ Little White Lies “A beautiful romantic story full of hope” - ★★★★★ HeyUGuys “Captivating” - ★★★★★ BBC Culture “Wonderful” - ★★★★ The Times
C**K
A gloriously un-selfconscious love story
Johnny Saxby is surly and resentful at having to run the family farm when his father becomes disabled by a stroke. He prefers drinking the nights away followed by casual sex and crippling hangovers. His father doesn't trust him to run the farm and knows his heart's not in it so he advertises for some extra help at lambing time to ease the pressure and hopefully, ensure the safety of the animals.Stunningly handsome Georghu is the only candidate to apply and Johnny alternately snarls at and insults him before the long-suffering Romanian finally snaps and pins him to the ground in an out-of-character fit of temper. This starts of a chain of emotions that Jonny wasn't looking for and isn't willing to go along with. Showing emotion and affection isn't his thing. Sex with strangers then walking away is more in his line until gradually, a bond grows between them and the gentle, caring Georghu shows Johnny that there's more to life than getting drunk and one-night-stands. He deftly skins a lamb to foster-on, makes sheep-cheese in the kitchen, tends the animals lovingly with his deep, instinctive knowledge and generally begins to make improvements on the long-neglected farm.Just when it looks like this relationship is going somewhere, tragedy hits. Johnny's father almost dies when another stroke totally incapacitates him, throwing even more responsibility on the unwilling lad's shoulders. With Georghu to help him, he should be able to manage the farm on his own but, after inviting him out for a drink at his local pub, he's treated with ignorant rudeness by the natives and with indifference by Johnny, who wants to drink the night away, just like old times. Leaving Georghu to have beer flicked over him by a guy who's just asking to have his face smashed into the bar, Johnny does the dirty on his supposed new love. Caught in the act by Georghu, who sees two pairs of feet under the toilet door, Johnny drives drunkenly back home to find him gone. Slowly the stupidity of his unfaithfull act dawns on him but, amazingly, instead of turning against his family, it makes him more caring - more like Georghu - and he lovingly bathes his crippled father and starts to help around the house and farm with a new, sad willingness.Eventually, the grief becomes too much for him and he tries to contact Georghu but ducks out when the call goes straight to voicemail. Moping around the caravan where Georgu slept and putting on his abandoned clothes makes Johnny realise just what he's lost and what a great life they could have had together, running the farm their way. He finally tells his worried father that he wants to make a go of the farm but only if he's allowed to do it his way and with Georghu by his side. His father consents to the changes he wants to bring about and he goes off in search of his lost love... will he find him... will he go with Johnny... and most of all, will he forgive him? Watch this gloriously un-selfconscious film to find out. The scenery, the bleakness, the hungry, savage sex that gradually turns to tenderness and love, the betrayal... the horrible grim bathroom!Do not miss this film - buy it, don't rent it because you will want to watch it over and over again and revel in the loving warmth and tenderness that radiates from it.
P**R
A FILM FULL OF LOVE, HOPE AND REDEMPTION
Such a wonderful film. I can't praise it enough. I get rather annoyed at the comparison between it and Brokeback Mountain. The only comparison I can see is that the two main characters are men. After that????? It may be that I've forgotten about the story in Brokeback. All I do remember is that Heath Ledger gave a heartbreaking performance in the latter part of that film.Anyway, back to GOC...the scenery, the filmography, the acting all beautiful. The barren-ness and yet beauty of Yorkshire is so well filmed. Both actors play their roles with courage and conviction. Although for me this isn't the major point of the film, the sex scenes were so realistic I still don't know how both men manage to achieve that without being sexually arisen.As I've just stated, for me the film isn't just about sex, it's ultimately about the redemption of both men, although their redemption takes different forms.Being an old romantic I want to believe that they live happily ever after and for that reason alone I hope they aren't tempted to make GOC 2. This makes such a refreshing change from the usual films with a homosexual theme. Those invariably have two men, boys, women, girls secretly falling in love. There's a misunderstanding, they part, they get back together and then they are 'outed' or disinherited by family and friends.Of course, their is always one person who faithfully stands by them throughout and that person is of the opposite sex to the two main characters. One of the couple will die, be killed, murdered, be the victim of hate crime or have to move away, leaving the other to ponder nostalgically, what 'might have been'.They are either that or the sugar-coated unbelievable nonsense churned out by some film companies and countries. There...I've just written the story outline for a homosexual themed film!!Thank goodness GOC doesn't fall into either category.My admiration and respect goes out to the four main actors, but especially to Josh O'connor and Alec Secareanu. I love you guys.
B**7
Amazing
What an incredible love story and the acting was superb from both main characters. Not forgetting Gemma Jones who plays the Nan and lan Hart who plays John's Father.... Josh O'connor in this is superb, his acting skills are out of this world. I watched first of all on daily motion on my phone over weekend but l needed to purchase the Dvd as its not the same watching it on YouTube.. l just wish l had watched it sooner . Buy this dvd you won't regret it, its fabulous.
A**S
Quiet realism
If you don't mind a bit of mud in your sex scenes, this is a great movie, lit by a quiet realism. It is basically a coming-of-age movie, but it is a romantic coming-of-age rather than a sexual one. The protagonist is already having plenty of sex with other young male farmers, but, crippled by a weight of self-loathing, he can't emotionally engage with them. His county of birth is in itself a barrier, Yorkshire not being famous for emotional expression. Hence the title. That and, yes, the upland landscape is an extra character in the film. This is a mature look at what it is to be gay in a rural area, alongside an exploration of rural depression that many farmers will find relatable regardless of sexuality.
B**Y
A GREAT STORY OF HOW LOVE CAN TRANSFORM 2 PERSONS!
Hey, hi- this is not a soppy love story but a powerful depiction of how giving someone love can transform both .The movie starts off bleak, dull sky Yorkshire isolated farm ,pretty depressing BUT stay with it !After 10 mins or so the story really begins. ! You are captured by the enfolding story , which is well paced. If you loved WILDHOOD and JUST FRIENDS , this is def. for you!
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