Luke Gilford has made a name for himself with his short films and music video work with artists like Christina Aguilera and Kesha. His debut feature film, National Anthem, had its debut at the 2023 SXSW International Film Festival and has played numerous festivals since. This movie is a tender portrait of an underrepresented community’s version of the American dream and a showcase for its talented ensemble.
Dylan is a young man working job to job in New Mexico in an effort to help support his family. One such job finds him working on a ranch with a group of queer ranchers and rodeo performers. Previously a timid man, Dylan soon finds himself opening up and blossoming in this new community and environment. From here, he learns more about himself through the relationships he has with this group as they search for meaning in their own unique ways. This is a story that highlights a lesser seen subset of the LGBT community, and it’s interesting to see them highlighted in such a way in this story.
Written by David Largman Murray, Kevin Best, and Gilford, this story is full of heart and care. Dylan’s story is one the plays out at a relatively slow pace, but it never feels unearned. Its meticulously paced narrative is in service of the story, and the writing is able to make each moment count. The dialogue is great throughout and tackles some complex and profound ideas of self-identity that beautifully tie together the whole movie. The rest of the cast performs well and makes the world feel lived in through their own unique way.
There are plenty of performances to love in this ensemble. Led by Charlie Plummer as Dylan, he once again proves why he’s one of the most talented young actors today who is unafraid to take risks and work in a wide variety of projects. He portrays Dylan with a subdued performance that is as nuanced as it is emotional. Eve Lindley also gives a phenomenal supporting turn as Sky, a trans woman who lives on the ranch. Her chemistry with Plummer is fantastic, and she is effortlessly able to handle the more complex themes of the movie.
Gilford is able to take such a niche subset of American life and give it proper attention while still managing to make the story unbelievably universal. It’s a delicate balance that makes this movie so effective and powerful, and it boasts messages and themes that everyone can relate to in one way or another. Additionally, it’s a beautifully shot movie from cinematographer Katelin Arizmendi, who is able to capture the vast New Mexico landscape and juxtapose it with intimacy elsewhere.
National Anthem is one of the most impressive movies of the year that should definitely not fly under your radar. It’s a short movie that packs a lot of emotional mileage. It boasts fantastic performances, breathtaking visuals, and an emotionally resonant story that cements Gilford as a director to watch going forward.
National Anthem is in theaters July 19.
Rating: 4.5/5
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