This post is part of my movie-a-day challenge in which I will watch a film every day for 365 days. Today is Day 70. You can see all the posts for this challenge HERE. To see the original Movie-a-Day Challenge post, click HERE.
God’s Own Country: Yorkshire Pudding and Existential Angst
I’m about to take you on a trip to the ruggedly beautiful moors of Yorkshire, where sheep outnumber people and existential dread hangs thicker than the fog. Buckle up, because we’re diving into “God’s Own Country,” the 2017 that is something else – it’s like a warm, slightly muddy hug from the Yorkshire countryside.
First things first, the plot! Okay, picture this: a young, gruff farmer named Johnny (played by the broodingly handsome Josh O’Connor) is struggling, big time. His life is basically sheep, more sheep, binge drinking, and the occasional, let’s say, ‘unromantic’ fling. You know, typical countryside shenanigans. But, plot twist! Along comes Gheorghe (the smoldering Alec Secareanu), a Romanian migrant worker with dreamy eyes and a knack for lambing. Yes, you heard me, lambing! 🐑. Gheorghe’s all sunshine and smiles, with a twinkle in his eye that could put the stars to shame. He’s Johnny’s complete opposite, and let’s just say, opposites attract like moths to a particularly tempting lamp.
Now, this ain’t your typical rom-com, folks. This is a love story as raw and rugged as the landscape itself. Director Francis Lee doesn’t shy away from the messy bits – the unspoken words, the stolen glances, the fumbling fingers that can’t quite seem to find their way
The chemistry between these two? It’s like, I don’t know, Yorkshire pudding meets gravy – unexpectedly perfect. The way their relationship unfolds is raw and real. It’s not your typical movie romance, all sunshine and roses. It’s muddy, it’s cold, it’s tough, but oh, so heartwarming. It’s like watching two lost souls finding a map in each other. Too cheesy? Maybe, but I’m sticking to it!
Now, let me dish on the acting. Josh O’Connor? More like Josh “Oh-wow-can-this-guy-act” Connor. He brings such depth to Johnny; it’s hard not to get all wrapped up in his world of inner turmoil and sheep. He takes this grumpy, heartbroken farmer and cracks him open like a fresh Yorkshire pudding, revealing all the gooey vulnerability and yearning underneath.
Secareanu’s Gheorghe is like a ray of sunshine breaking through the Yorkshire gloom, and their chemistry together is pure magic. They sizzle, they crackle, they make you believe that even in the bleakest corners of the world, love can bloom like a stubborn wildflower.
The setting, folks, is a character in itself. The rolling hills, the mud, the relentless Yorkshire weather – it’s all so beautifully bleak and yet, so alive. It makes you want to throw on a jumper and run through the fields, or maybe just stay in bed with a hot cup of tea. ☕
I’ve gotta say, the film does not shy away from the nitty-gritty of farm life. It’s not all fluffy lambs and picturesque sunsets. There’s birth, death, and the kind of mud that gets everywhere. But that’s what makes it so authentic. You can almost smell the farm air through the screen – and trust me, it’s not all fresh daisies.
So yeah, “God’s Own Country” is a film that sticks with you. It’s like a good stew – hearty, a little rough around the edges, but ultimately satisfying. It’s a story about love, life, and learning to let someone help you with your metaphorical sheep.
Peace out,
Roger