God's Own Country [Blu-ray]

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.

This film is truly deserving of all the praise and awards it has received (and will continue to do so).Would love to have seen this on the big screen but only became aware of it after the limited run in cinemas had finished. Maybe one day.I have watched it twice in two days, even though my blu-ray is faulty (picture judders), it can't spoil my enjoyment of this exceptional film.The acting from all concerned is so good and I love the story, direction and cinematography. It is beautiful and very touching, on several levels. The silence or background sounds (the lapwing and curlews) is a nice touch but when there is background music it is subtle and well placed.It does have some similarities to Brokeback (which I saw 11 times at the cinema) but I think this is even better and I can't see me ever getting tired of seeing it.Thank you to all concerned.Update - Was lucky enough to see this at the cinema last night and I love it even more now. Good job too, as I am currently without a copy, as both my blu-ray discs were faulty and I was reluctant to ask for a third. May get the DVD, if only for the deleted / extended scenes.

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.