Strange Way of Life

When you have names like Pedro Almodovar, Pedro Pascal and Ethan Hawke associated with a project in the gay space, the expectations are naturally tremendous. I have to say, I was slightly disappointed that this was going to be just a 30 minute short film. I hoped for a full length feature film even without knowing absolutely nothing about wha the film is about. Nevertheless, I was still very much looking forward to this  romantic cowboy story which has more than what meets the eye. This film is not a story of two men who are struggling with their sexuality like some of these other stories. Instead it focuses more on the past as its subject — past romance, past promises, past regrets.

Silva, a ranch owner crosses the desert to come meet Jake, the town sheriff. The two of them have an instant rapport meeting after almost 25 years. They spend the day and night together and we are told they were former lovers. But there is more to Silva's purpose of this visit. A murder in town has happened that happened to be of his brother's wife. Jake is intent on bringing the killer to justice and who happens to be Silva’s son. Silva is here to plead his son’s case. Jake refuses and Silva goes back home but is secretly followed by Jake to capture his son. What follows is a conflict wherein Jake may have to choose between getting his suspect or taking this one last chance for happiness. Silva's purpose is clear. It's time for Jake to take a call.

Comparisons with Brokeback are inevitable because of landscape and the whole cowboy thingy, but let's leave it at that. I really really hope that at some point this gets made into a full length feature, one that allows for us to get the full breadth of the relationship between the two leads. It feels like Almodovar has just scratched the surface with this short. We get a glimpse of 25 years ago, when Jake and Silva were young and we see how they first fall in love with a very passionate encounter full of kisses and wine. I must mention here that the two young actors areextremelo hot and have a crackling chemistry. That romance which apparently lasted 60 days has clearly left a strong impact on both men, affecting them two and a half decades later. The chemistry between Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal is no less sizzling. Jake doesn’t want to look into the past, bitter that Silva has been away all this time. Meanwhile, Silva lives with regret for a life the two of them could have had together. The unresolved divide between them crackles with passion. Visually the film is sharp and very pleasing. As soon as things start to get interesting, it ends leading us to imagine what decision would these two men take. I am now secretly hoping thatches is just first chapter of a larger story and we may get a follow up of this at some time. (Only if wishes could come true). For now, we all need to enjoy this extremely wonderful short little gem of a film by one of my favorite directors. (8/10)