Luke Gilford (director)
(studio)
15 (certificate)
99 (length)
09 December 2024 (released)
06 December 2024
The bright colours of the construction workers’ safety vests cast against the grey of the site gravel and the clear blue skies goes someway towards establishing the themes of National Anthem.
On the site is Dylan (Charlie Plummer) a 21-year-old who picks up casual work where he can. Earning to save for an RV and to upkeep his younger brother Cassidy (Joey DeLeon) and his mother Fiona (Robyn Lively) whose hairdressing business is not supporting her boys and booze lifestyle.
Landing a two-week job at a queer rodeo opens Dylan’s eyes to another side of America. It appears idyllic though people are expected to pull their weight. There’s mutual respect, hard work and play and an acceptance of people on their own terms.
Dylan is at home, and almost immediately smitten by the charismatic Sky (Eve Lindley) who is in a relationship with Pepe (Rene Rosado). Its open, with limits.
Directed by Luke Gilford and co-written with Kevin Best and David Largman Murray, National Anthem could best be described as a peek into a specific area of queer culture that involves rodeo and ranching. It accentuates the positives of community and mutual respect.
The film’s set up means it cannot set-aside prejudice and there’s tension when Cassidy spends time with the community and his mother isn’t best pleased. This however is handled very sensitively.
The core of the film is Dylan’s love for Sky, which she feels but cannot reciprocate. This draws a understated, yet sympathetic performance from Plummer, at times confused then accepting the situation. Lindley is an excellent foil; understanding Dylan’s feelings and sensitive to the fact that she cannot return them. Again, these scenes are beautifully handled which will hopefully generate empathy with the audience.
The acting is excellent throughout working from a very good script. That’s complemented by the beautiful visuals of the ranch and rodeo scenes as well as the landscapes that they travel through.
There are minor points, if being picky, in that it does feel too long for the story it is telling and it feels like its meandering at times. The ending too is a bit on the nose and strikes of a statement, that shouldn’t have to be made but sadly has to be.
National Anthem will be available on UK and Irish digital platforms on 9 December 2024.
