Lonesome

Craig Boreham has a lot to say about queer culture, trauma and the politics of sex in the new erotic Aussie drama Lonesome. Countryside paddocks, the pull of the ocean, hedonistic debauchery of Oxford Street, the ding of Grindr alerts and mac ‘n’ cheese simmer and almost boil in the 135-minute film starring up-and-comers Josh Lavery, Daniel Gabriel and Ian Roberts.

A rural town scandal forces cowboy Casey (Lavery) to flee home and find his feet in Sydney. Alone, seeking refuge – and phone-charging opportunities – Casey numbs the pain through transactional hook-ups and alcohol. Along the way, Casey encounters free spirit Tib (Gabriel) at his makeshift home in the midst of a threesome. The pair forge an instant connection and grow closer, with Casey crashing on his couch, and Tib inviting Casey to pick up odd jobs as a means to make cash. Too stubborn to admit their feelings, the inevitable push-pull sets in and ultimately comes to a head when Tib receives life-changing news about his mother. This time, Tib uses sex as a means to feel better, in the presence of Casey, which sets off a series of events that forces Casey to wrestle with his loneliness, anger, guilty, shame and lack of self-worth.

Romantic, racy and raw, Lonesome oscillates between love and hate; lust and repulsion; shame and pride. Daniel Gabriel is a treat as Tib and brings the right combination of tension, nuance and emotional to successfully carry emotional scenes. Josh Lavery was well cast as the lone cowboy; his angst and rage being quite palpable. Ian Roberts puts on an unforgettable performance as Pietro, a dom who likes things in a particular way.

On the whole, I found Lonesome to be quite refreshing and better than expected. The tension was there. The film worked well in its commentary presenting a genuine gay lifestyle and its intersectionality of race and sexuality. The characterisation of Casey is layered and compelling, especially in the scene where the past trauma of having an affair with a straight-identifying married man comes to light. On the other hand, the story was a lesser version of other gay coming-of-age dramas that pack more of a punch, have stronger acting and, ultimately, a stronger story.

Lonesome is currently screening at Cinema Nova, Carlton.