KSL Movie Show review: ‘On Swift Horses’ is a slowly-paced, emotional drama about 50s dreams

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SALT LAKE CITY — Funny story. You know how these secret cinema movie screenings have been popping up lately at various theaters around town? Well, I thought I had one all figured out, and it was a movie I probably had to see anyway.

And since recently, the studios have been less inclined to let critics see their films in advance, using my questionable deductive reasoning and on the advice of a close colleague, I ventured out, paid my money and waited for what surely had to be “The Accountant 2” but instead was “On Swift Horses.”

Now I had to see both films eventually, so it wasn’t much of an issue, but I will say that no two movies could be more opposite than these films.

The handful of other patrons, mostly men, also hoping this would be “The Accountant 2,” were, shall I say, audibly disappointed.

It was a bit distracting to hear them moan and groan, but they had spent their hard-earned six bucks and by golly, they weren’t going away – well, at least some of them.

I imagine they came to see Ben Affleck bust some heads, but instead they were treated to a story set in a post-Korean War setting.

Related: KSL Movie Show review: ‘The Accountant 2’ has more heart and soul than the original

Muriel (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and her husband Lee (Will Poulter) are living on her inherited Kansas farm in the middle of nowhere, with dreams of moving to San Diego and starting a new life there.

Enter Lee’s charismatic brother Julius (Jacob Elordi), who creates a strange, awkward connection with Muriel, but does not share their California dreamin’ and prefers to take his chances in the emerging desert oasis known as Las Vegas.

There he takes on a job of overseeing the casino floor on catwalks looking down at potential cheaters through windows in the ceiling.  

He falls in love with a co-worker, Henry (Diego Calva), and they take their extended knowledge of scamming blackjack tables to other outlying casinos.

Meanwhile, Muriel and Lee have bought a tract home in a developing suburban So-Cal neighborhood, with notions that Julius would come live with them, reuniting the family for good, but Julius has other plans and so does Muriel.  

She starts to play the horses based on racing tips she gets from overhearing customers at the diner where she works. Plus, she develops a relationship with a neighbor, Sandra (Sasha Calle).

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Poor, oblivious Lee has no idea about any of what’s going on and it’s gonna get messy, especially when a troubled and desperate Julius finally does show up.

Again, imagine my fellow patrons came to see an action thriller, but instead got a slowly-paced, emotional drama about 50s dreams and hush-hush, confused sexuality.

I’m not saying “On Swift Horses” is a bad movie because it does a good job featuring people trying to figure out who they really are, but I know at least a couple of guys, giggling on the way out of the theater that had somewhat different thoughts.

“On Swift Horses” (B-) Rated R for sexual content, nudity and some language. Starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Jacob Elordi, Will Poulter, Diego Calva, Sasha Calle and Don Swayze. Directed by Daniel Minahan (best known for directing TV series like “American Crime Story” “House of Cards” “Game of Thrones”) – filmed in Los Angeles. Running time 117 minutes.

The KSL Movie Show with Andy Farnsworth and Steve Salles airs Fridays on KSL NewsRadio from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Follow the show on Facebook, and join The KSL Movie Show Club for exclusive perks by texting MOVIE to 57500. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Message frequency varies.