Riding a Fast Horse- Jacob Elordi and Daisy Edgar-Jones drama

Riding a Fast Horse opens with a juxtaposition of two images: sex and playing cards. The story revolves around Muriel (Daisy EdgarJones), who is in love with Lee (Will Poulter), a soldier on leave from Korea. Meanwhile, Lee’s brother Julius (Jacob Elordi) has already been discharged and is en route to meet them in Kansas, carrying only a bag and a card. It’s nearing Christmas, and though Lee has asked Muriel to marry him, she hasn’t yet responded. Nevertheless, the atmosphere between them is light and joyful.

 

 Family Reunited

When Julius arrives, the trio forms a temporary, happy family in the cozy house Muriel inherited from her mother. The home, spacious and lovingly decorated for Christmas, is the perfect place to start a family. However, Lee dreams of moving to California with Muriel and Julius when the war is over—a dream that seems almost too perfect to be true.

 

 Complex Love Triangle

The story, based on the novel by Shannon Pfahi, evolves into an emotionally complex love triangle. Muriel marries Lee, but her feelings for Julius remain unresolved. Julius, too, harbors complicated feelings—not only for Muriel but also for his brother, Lee. Over time, both Muriel and Julius find other lovers while secretly writing to one another, without Lee’s knowledge.

 

 Julius’ Relationship with Henry

While working at a Las Vegas casino, Julius meets Henry (Diego Calva), and the two form a passionate yet acrimonious relationship. Henry is ambitious and wilder than Julius, pushing him to confront his own demons. Their love scene is tender and intimate, showcasing both men’s vulnerabilities.

 

 Muriel’s Affair with Sandra

Meanwhile, Muriel has an affair with her neighbor, Sandra (Sasha Calle), an openly lesbian woman who cares little for societal stigmas. Despite returning home to Lee every night, Muriel leads a secret life of gambling and infidelity. Her double life is risky, but she sees it as more honest than Julius’ hesitance to return home.

 

 Themes of Gambling and Risk

Both Julius and Muriel share a love for gambling—while Julius is addicted to cards, Muriel prefers betting on horse races. Their vices parallel their risky emotional lives, and while Muriel criticizes Julius for avoiding the truth, she struggles with her own secret existence.

 

 Standout Performances

Jacob Elordi delivers his best performance yet as Julius, portraying a sensitive, vulnerable character. His chemistry with Diego Calva is palpable, with their love scenes being both steamy and tender. Daisy EdgarJones shines as Muriel, a woman trying to fit into a life she knows is too small for her. Will Poulter convincingly portrays Lee, the embodiment of 1950s ideals, while Sasha Calle plays Sandra with a rebellious edge.

 

 A Classic Romantic Drama

Riding a Fast Horse is a sweeping romantic drama, reminiscent of the grand epics Hollywood seldom produces today. Director Daniel Minahan, known for his work on Six Feet Under and Travel Companions, captures the expansive landscapes and vivid colors of midcentury America, transporting the audience to a time when possibilities seemed endless.

 

 Conclusion

At its core, Riding a Fast Horse explores love, the different lives we lead, and how we build families in unconventional ways. The film is a beautiful, heartbreaking tale, and deserves to be seen on the biggest screen possible. It just might reignite the trend for epic romantic dramas.

 

Full Credits

Venue: Toronto International Film Festival (Special Screening)

Director: Daniel Minahan

Writer: Bryce Kass

Starring: Daisy EdgarJones, Jacob Elordi, Will Poulter, Diego Calva, Sasha Calle, Don Swayze

Producers: Peter Spears, Tim Headington, Theresa SteelePage, Molly Asher, Michael D’Alto

Executive Producers: Nate Kamiya, David Darby, Claude Amadeo, Randall Sandler, Chris Triana, Joe Plummer, Jennifer Westphal, Joe Plummer, Christine Vachon, Mason Plotz, Alvaro R. Valente, Bryce Kass, Lauren Shelton, Jeffrey Penman, Jacob Elordi, Daisy EdgarJones

Director of Photography: Luke Montpellier

Composer: Mark Orton

Production Designer: Erin McGill

Editors: Robert Frasen, Kate Sanford, Joe Murphy

Art Directors: Kate Weddle, Elizabeth Newton