National Anthem (2023 film)

National Anthem is a 2023 American drama film directed by Luke Gilford, in his debut feature-length picture. Gilford co-wrote the screenplay with David Largman Murray and Kevin Best. The film stars Charlie Plummer, Eve Lindley, Mason Alexander Park, Rene Rosado, and Robyn Lively.

National Anthem premiered at the 2023 SXSW Festival on March 10, 2023. It was released on July 12, 2024, by Variance Films. The film has received positive reviews from critics, with praise going towards the directing, screenplay, cinematography, and performances of its cast (particularly Plummer and Lindley).

Synopsis
Dylan, a 21-year-old who lives in rural New Mexico and works as a construction worker to help support his little brother and alcoholic mother, joins a community of queer ranchers and rodeo performers.

Cast

 * Charlie Plummer as Dylan
 * Eve Lindley as Sky
 * Mason Alexander Park as Carrie
 * Rene Rosado as Pepe
 * Robyn Lively as Fiona

Production
National Anthem was directed by Luke Gilford, marking his feature film debut. The screenplay was co-written by Gilford, David Largman Murray, and Kevin Best and was inspired by Gilford's monograph titled National Anthem: America's Queer Rodeo.

Release
National Anthem premiered at the 2023 SXSW Festival on March 10, 2023. The film had its international premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2023. In February 2024, it was announced that Variance Films would distribute the film, with a July 12, 2024, release. The film had its first European premiere in London at the 32nd Raindance Film Festival in June 2024.

Reception
Reviewing the film for RogerEbert.com, following its SXSW premiere, Brian Tallerico described the film as "both progressive and old-fashioned at the same time" and wrote, "Gilford has a strong eye—he captures the wide-open spaces of this beautiful country with a blend of awe and grace—but it's his work with performers and characters that announces a major talent." He also highlighted the performances of Plummer, Lindley, and Park as the standouts. Deadline Hollywood 's Damon Wise said that the film presents "a sweetness and simplicity to its philosophy of see-and-be-seen that will likely make this an easy festival crowd-pleaser." Matthew Jacobs, writing for Vulture, compared the film to The Rider, The Power of the Dog, and The Sisters Brothers, particularly in "dissecting the masculinity [which is] often deemed inherent to the Western genre's landscapes," and praised the directing, cinematography, soundtrack, and Plummer's performance. He also called the film "a stunning start to [Gilford's] film career."

Writing for Paste, Aurora Amidon gave the film a score of 8.5 out of 10, writing that "the beauty of National Anthem is that it effortlessly challenges all expectations and preconceived notions" and lauding the directing, screenplay, and performances of Plummer and Lindley. Erin Brady of /Film gave it a score of 8 out of 10 and named it "a moving and well-crafted debut." She also praised the cinematography, screenplay, and performances of Plummer and Lindley and called Gilford "a powerful voice in modern queer art." Letterboxd included the film in its "Best of SXSW 2023" list and wrote, "This is an all-around beautiful film, expanding on Gilford's collection of photographs of the same name. For that book, Gilford spent three years documenting the queer rodeo subculture. Those beautiful people also appear here alongside stars Charlie Plummer and Eve Lindley, in dreamy sequences that highlight the beauty of living as your full, authentic self."