God's Own Country

Name: God's Own Country
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: October 25, 2017
Duration: 104 min
Rating: 85
Cast: Alec Secareanu, Gemma Jones, Harry Lister Smith, Ian Hart, John McCrea

2017

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 22 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 98 Ratings

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8.3

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8.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 98 Ratings

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God's Own Country

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Movie Details & Credits

Picturehouse Entertainment | Release Date: October 25, 2017 | Not Rated

Starring: Alec Secareanu, Gemma Jones, Harry Lister Smith, Ian Hart, John McCrea, Josh O'Connor, Liam Thomas, Melanie Kilburn, Moey Hassan, Naveed Choudhry, Patsy Ferran, Stefan Dermendjiev

Summary: Johnny Saxby (Josh O'Connor) works long hours in brutal isolation 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. When a handsome Romanian migrant worker (Alec Secareanu) arrives to take up temporary work on the familyJohnny Saxby (Josh O'Connor) works long hours in brutal isolation 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. 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. An intense relationship forms between the two which could change Johnny's life forever.… Expand

Director: Francis Lee

Genre(s): Drama, Romance

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 104 min

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Critic Reviews

100

David Lewis

Nov 8, 2017

A stirring romance between an emotionally stifled sheep farmer and an irrepressible Romanian migrant worker, isn’t shy about paying homage to the classic “Brokeback Mountain,” but in many ways, this British film turns out better. Read full review

100

Justin Chang

Oct 26, 2017

In the push-pull between Secareanu’s resonant stillness and O’Connor’s barely sublimated intensity, you feel the struggle of two souls forging a path toward each other, gradually realizing that while life may be harsh and unforgiving, love doesn’t have to be. Read full review

IndieWire Jude Dry

Feb 8, 2017

There will be many people who see themselves in the furtive glances and mud-covered kisses from which God’s Own Country weaves its harsh but hopeful narrative, and they will do so while witnessing a finely crafted piece of cinema. Read full review

Time Out London Dave Calhoun

Writer-director Francis Lee has drawn on his own farming background and his film is full of convincing detail. The lack of chat feels especially truthful. Read full review

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

Jan 28, 2017

This debut feature from Yorkshire-born actor and first-time director Francis Lee is tough, sensual, unsentimental, with excellent lead performances from Josh O’Connor and Alec Secareanu. Read full review

Empire Terri White

A dig into the nature of humanity from a director already fluent in the language of brutality and tenderness. A stunning love story that in its finest moments is pure poetry. Read full review

Dan Callahan

Jan 28, 2017

Instead of making us feel that these boys are meant to be together, God’s Own Country unintentionally suggests that Gheorghe should get himself to a city where his silky dark hair, bedroom eyes and developed aesthetic sense might be far better appreciated by others. Read full review

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User Reviews

patxo

Mar 18, 2021

it is different and fresh. i loved every part of the film. the whole team did a good job from the director to the actors

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Giopy

Mar 21, 2021

One of the most beautiful movie I've ever seen, for the beginning to the end, expecially for the end THANK YOU for this Francis Lee, this will be remembered forever, the fact that this movie is ONLY about love only about these two man no other stupid things no homophobia around just the loveOne of the most beautiful movie I've ever seen, for the beginning to the end, expecially for the end THANK YOU for this Francis Lee, this will be remembered forever, the fact that this movie is ONLY about love only about these two man no other stupid things no homophobia around just the love story between these character, I'll rewatch this movie for the rest of my life… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

enrick9

Jan 31, 2018

Sincera, humana, hermosa, conmovedora, eso y muchos otros apelativos es esta película.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Luke_Cinema

Aug 22, 2020

So real: the characters, their relationships, their interactions... The movie really reaches it's stride around the halfway point, so don't let the somewhat repetitive early farm scenes lose your interest.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

GreatMartin

Dec 1, 2017

“God’s Own Country” is being compared to “Brokeback Mountain” but is a much better picture, especially regarding the two men in the center of the love story.

Johnny (Josh O’Connor) is a twenty something man who is running the farm his father Martin (Ian Hart), who has had a stroke, owns.“God’s Own Country” is being compared to “Brokeback Mountain” but is a much better picture, especially regarding the two men in the center of the love story.

Johnny (Josh O’Connor) is a twenty something man who is running the farm his father Martin (Ian Hart), who has had a stroke, owns. The latter is a bitter man who seemingly has nothing but disdain for his son. Johnny’s grandmother Deirdre (Gemma Jones) is a cold woman who shows every bit of her hard life in her face.

Johnny feels overwhelmed with all the work he has to do and gets drunk every night occasionally having indiscriminate, unfeeling sex with other young men. His father, against Johnny’s wishes, hires a temporary worker to help on the farm during the lambing season and, at first resents Gheorghe (Alec Secareanu). Gheorghe is a Romanian immigrant who lost everything and resents Johnny calling him a gypsy.

We watch Johnny and Gheorghe slowly fall in love as they do the hard work required on the farm, starting at first more of a fight, it generally is an exploration of their bodies and an awakening of the emotions they eventually come to feel each other. There is a beautiful scene of the two men enjoying their life and domesticity when a major event takes place and that event also brings about major changes in their relationship especially Johnny’s decision to do something that puts their love at risk.

There are many tender scenes between the two men and a surprising one between the father and son later in the film. There are graphic scenes of farm life including the birthing of lambs, including the mouth to mouth resuscitation of one, the death of calves plus the real hard labor of a farmer from building walls of many varied size rocks to putting up fences among many other jobs.

The performances by Josh O’Connor and Alec Secareanu, making the romance look real and the sex scenes exciting, are rock solid with the latter having the ‘smoldering sexy’ look that made a star of a young man in the old days of Hollywood. Both Ian Hart and Gemma Jones offering top support with the former being both stern and caring and the latter as not a particular warm women but accepting the farm life and her grandson when she figures out what is going on.

The director and screenwriter Francis Lee shows both the beauty and ugliness of the Yorkshire area in England and also of love. Lee in his feature debut is in complete control and Joshua James Richards with his photography helps the director show his love for the land.

A few asides:

1) Remember I am a city boy—the dealing with animals which may be natural to country people was a ‘hide the eyes’ moments for me!

2) While the sex scenes are graphic they are no more than shown in non-gay films.

3) Though I very seldom if ever tell when this is possible you can see the full film on youtube.

4) Though the speak English, it is England English, plus a heavy Yorkshire accent, I wish there had been sub-titles which mean when I do watch it on youtube I will use the caption option.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

joelgreenberg

Apr 19, 2023

God's Own Country dares to let the characters' lives emerge without adding any accelerated plot twists or incidents. The actors inhabit a bleak landscape, repressed emotional lives and, when awakened to visceral contact outside their cold, forlorn world, light brings warmth and theGod's Own Country dares to let the characters' lives emerge without adding any accelerated plot twists or incidents. The actors inhabit a bleak landscape, repressed emotional lives and, when awakened to visceral contact outside their cold, forlorn world, light brings warmth and the possibility of joy. This is a marvellously simple-seeming film, beautifully realized.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Gamzguy17

Aug 21, 2021

There is not much to take away from "God's Own Country" that many already have from the influx of LGBTQ+ films that have come out during the past 2010's decade. With that said, the direction work is well done and there is a silent raw nature in its presentation. It's a solid enough film toThere is not much to take away from "God's Own Country" that many already have from the influx of LGBTQ+ films that have come out during the past 2010's decade. With that said, the direction work is well done and there is a silent raw nature in its presentation. It's a solid enough film to put on during a quiet day.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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