Pop Commentary

“On Swift Horses” is no “Brokeback Mountain,” but I’d say it’s my favorite LGBTQ movie of the year so far!

The film stars Daisy Edgar-Jones as a woman starting a new life in California with her veteran husband, played by Will Poulter. But their newfound stability is upended by the arrival of the husband’s brother, a wayward gambler played by Jacob Elordi. The movie then follows Edgar-Jones and Elordi’s characters as they both seek queer love in the 1950s.

I loved that this film explored both gay and lesbian relationships. I think it’s pretty rare for both to be portrayed in the same movie.

Unfortunately, that also made the story seem a little fractured at times, as the film kept switching back and forth between the two characters. I would have liked it if they had a few more scenes together to blend their two stories.

I actually thought the relationship between Edgar-Jones and Elordi’s characters was the most interesting part of the movie. The filmmaker toes the line of suggesting that they are meant for each other as opposed to just being kindred spirits who are both fighting to be their authentic queer selves.

The acting was also pretty good from everyone in the cast. I especially enjoyed Edgar-Jones’ performance because she was kind of the heart of the film.

In the end, I liked this movie more than I thought I would, so I gave it 7 out of 10 stars. It’s a good gay romance and I’d suggest you see it, if only for the intimate scenes with Elordi’s character and his lover.

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