Strange Way Of Life (aka Extrana Forma De Vida) (2023)

A rancher (Pedro Pascal) rides across a desert to visit an old friend (Ethan Hawke) he hasn't seen in 25 years, who is now the town sheriff. His son (George Steane) is a suspect in the murder of the sheriff's sister in law. But the visit brings up the feelings of 25 years ago when they were lovers. Written and directed by Pedro Almodovar (WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN). A most unusual film for Almodovar. It's a male centric western with women marginal characters. But in spite of all the western trimmings (the macho gunfighters, the shoot out, etc.), it's at heart a love story but without the romanticized pretentiousness of something like BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN. Hawke and Pascal, two actors I'm not especially fond of, are very good and more to the point very believable as the queer cowboys. With Jason Fernandez and Jose Condessa.