The Reel Review
Dylan is a profoundly lonely, soft spoken 21-year-old construction worker serving as the de facto head of household for his irresponsible mother and much younger brother at their home in rural New Mexico. When he is hired to work at a community of gay rodeo performers, his bleak future evolves into a life changing, hopeful world of friendship, love and acceptance. Charlie Plummer stars in this modern-day LGBTQ+ Western.
Co-writer/director Luke Gilford’s film is a refreshing revelation in the Western genre, upending traditionally conservative bits of Americana – U.S. flags, rodeos, farming and ranching – in a tender, trauma-free tale of self-discovery. His world is wonderfully patriotic, kind-hearted and loving – a safe place where queer people can love both their country and one another, and even proudly sing the national anthem without the threat of criticism or violence. Sweet moments are sprinkled throughout the film.
Plummer gives a magnetic, heartfelt performance, with a solid supporting cast that includes Eve Lindsey (Bros, After Yang) as his transgender love interest, Rene Rosado (The Connors) as the ranch owner, Broadway performer Mason Alexander Park (Hedwig and the Angry Inch) as the world-weary, non-binary mother figure, Robyn Lively (Someone Like You, Wildcats) as Dylan’s mother and Joey DeLeon as his little brother who takes to Dylan’s new life like a duck to water. The story drifts at times, but that is easily overlooked due its uniquely beautiful and refreshing optimism.
REEL FACTS
• Director Luke Gilford, the son of a rodeo performer best known as an established celebrity, music video and fashion photographer, traveled across the Southern U.S. with the gay rodeo circuit for four years, culminating in the 2020 photo book National Anthem: America’s Queer Rodeo, which inspired his film.
• Charlie Plummer and Luke Gilford met in 2018 during a photo shoot for Lean on Pete, Gilford saying he immediately knew Plummer would be his Dylan.
• National Anthem was filmed in Belen, New Mexico, just south of Albuquerque.
Video & Photo
