‘Strange Way of Life’ Review — Pedro Pascal & Ethan Hawke Sizzle

This review was originally part of our coverage for the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.

As much as the cowboys of the American West are associated with being masculine men who are the salt of the earth, so too are they associated with homosexuality. This didn’t start with Brokeback Mountain, though I’m sure that will be the main point of comparison for people who watch Pedro Almodóvar‘s short film, Strange Way of Life. There’s the song « Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other, » the 1981 country music song by Ned Sublette about gay cowboys that was famously covered by Willie Nelson, or 2021’s The Power of the Dog by Jane Campion that features a closeted gay rancher played by Benedict Cumberbatch. The trope is a popular aspect of Westerns. But, Strange Way of Life is not a story of two men who are struggling with their sexuality like some of these other stories. They are cowboys who have reunited after consummating their relationship 25 years ago, who have broken up and tried to move on but can’t seem to let go of the past flame. Strange Way of Life focuses more on the past as its subject — past romance, past promises, past regrets.

‘Strange Way of Life’ Is About More Than Just Romance

It’s been almost a year since I first sat down at the Cannes Film Festival to watch Strange Way of Life, but it’s a testament to Almodóvar’s impact that it still stands out to me as one of the most memorable films of the festival. Amidst glossy blockbuster premieres, Strange Way of Life was seemingly caught in two worlds. With a star-studded cast and Almodóvar at the helm, it felt primed for the type of success a full-length feature film might get. But because of its runtime, it’s also likely to be overlooked by more general audiences, though it’s recent premiere on Netflix will undoubtedly give the film a larger audience base. It feels like Almodóvar has barely scratched the surface of this story. There’s so much more to explore when it comes to Pedro Pascal‘s Silva and Ethan Hawke‘s Jake, one that allows us to get the full breadth of the relationship between the two leads.

The film starts when Silva, a rancher who comes into town, meets with his former lover, Jake, the town sheriff. Their initial introduction crackles with energy and chemistry — the two of them developing an instant rapport. But what starts as a rendezvous between lovers is soon revealed to be a visit with a purpose. Jake is intent on bringing a killer to justice and that killer is Silva’s son (Manu Rios). Silva is here to plead his son’s case. While the murder is the impetus for the reunion, the short film is focused on the evolved relationship between Jake and Silva. Going back 25 years, we see the beginning of their romance, where a young Jake (Jason Fernández) and a young Silva (José Condessa) first fall in love while working as hired guns. The romance has left a strong impact on both men, affecting them two and a half decades later.

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Pedro Pascal and Ethan Hawke Have Sizzling Chemistry

The sizzling chemistry between Pascal and Hawke is palpable. Jake doesn’t want to look into the past, bitter that Silva has been away all this time, but he also can’t stay away from the man. Meanwhile, Silva lives with regret for a life the two of them could have had together, jealous at times, but also still infatuated with Jake. It isn’t easy to color within the lines when defining these two characters. Both actors add complexity to a script that is somewhat lacking and stilted at times. Almodóvar’s dialogue often feels repetitive and it can feel shallow when paired with hs distinct cinematic style, but it avoids this thanks to the star power of his leads.

The scenes between Pascal and Hawke are erotic and passionate, both in the present timeline and 25 years ago. The 31-minute short utilizes the two actors to their full capacity, offering us a multi-faceted approach to their relationship. The conflict between the two men isn’t necessarily about coming out publicly. Yes, that likely stands as a reason why the two broke up years ago, but what’s keeping them apart now are promises Jake made to his family and Silva’s fatherly obligations to his son. In this way, Strange Way of Life poses the two characters more as enemies, albeit reluctant ones.

Almodóvar’s Style Is Captivating But Also a Design Flaw

Almodóvar’s signature style is all over this short. His colorful visual palette lends a sort of storybook quality to the film. While it is visually enticing, it also sometimes feels too much like a theater production or a music video, distracting from the story of two lovers. Silva’s horse and saddle are immaculately clean despite having traveled across a desert. The town jail is bright, airy, and well-organized. It often feels like a modern illustration of the West or Wes Anderson‘s idea of the West, losing the authenticity of the genre.

It’s not necessarily a bad thing. As a short film, this style offers a strong method of delivery for the story. It gives Jason Fernández and José Condessa wiggle room as actors. While Fernández and Condessa are obviously incredibly attractive, there is a serious disconnect between the younger Jake and Silva and the older pair of characters. Perhaps it’s part of their transformation over the years, but the flashback segment feels more like a dream than actual reality. It’s less that Fernández looks nothing like Jake (though that is true) and more about the fact that their past feels merely like an amalgamation of Western tropes. The film is much stronger when it focuses on Pascal and Hawke at the center of things. While Almodóvar reignites love for the genre, he offers very little that is new to the trope. His focus on his lead actors makes Strange Way of Life an artistic and romantic vignette in the life of two lovers.

Strange Way of Life

REVIEW

Pedro Almodóvar’s queer Western makes good use of Hawke and Pascal but struggles to find substance.

Pros

• Pedro Pascal and Ethan Hawke have amazing romantic chemistry.
• The story merely scratches the surface of their relationship but it shows the potential for more.

Cons

• Almodóvar’s style feels empty, more like a theatrical production than a cinematic one.
• The casting and portrayal of the young versions of Jake and Silva feel disconnected from the older versions.

Strange Way of Life is now available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.

WATCH ON NETFLIX