by Annette Basile
Worth: $12.00
FilmInk rates movies out of $20 — the score indicates the amount we believe a ticket to the movie to be worth
Cast:
William Franklyn-Miller, Mary-Louise Parker, Kelsey Grammer, John Foss, Mia Rodgers, Andy Serkis, Ben Kingsley
Intro:
… has the whiff of American patriot propaganda …
Who knew that the young George Washington was such a pretty boy? When we first see him, it’s hard not to shake your head at the casting of former model William Franklyn-Miller, who looks like he should be advertising men’s cologne instead of leading troops into battle.
Turns out the young Brit with the stunning jawline is the least of this film’s problems – he’s actually convincing in his first lead role, playing the man who will eventually become the first POTUS.
Set in the mid-1700s in colonial America, the film centres on Washington’s formative pre-Presidential period. When Washington was 11, his father died. Despite being hungry for an education, boy George was turned away from school due to, we assume, lack of funds (this is not particularly well explained).
His much older half-brother, Lawrence (John Foss), mentored the boy, who had an appetite for books. But as Washington comes of age, his low social status and lack of formal education become an obstacle to his romantic and military ambitions.
This historical tale follows Washington sneaking into a posh party at a Virginian plantation and meeting Sally (Mia Rodgers), who he is instantly attracted to. He also meets the aristocratic landowner Lord Fairfax (Kelsey Grammer in a surprising turn), who is impressed by Washington. Fairfax agrees to let the ambitious young man survey the uncharted edge of his vast property on the Virginian frontier, where Washington will encounter Half-King Tanacharison (Ryan Begay), a Native American leader.
The Half-King is a secondary character but will play a pivotal role in a future battle where Washington – now an officer in the Virginia Regiment – finds himself out of his depth and igniting the French & Indian War…
Directed and co-written by Jon Erwin, there is more gloss than grit on much of this film. Although the dialogue rings true to the era, the delivery in some cases feels too modern. Rodgers’ Sally is the main offender – apart from the period gear, she sounds like she’s wandered in from a modern teen flick.
But the rest of the supporting cast are great – as well as Grammer, Ben Kingsley is enjoyable as a colonial governor, and Mary-Louise Parker brings authenticity to her role as Washington’s mother.
A late extended battle scene is well realised and appropriately chaotic. It’s schmaltzy in its portrayal of a heroic Washington, yet it’s easily the most engaging segment of this fairly average film. Finally, the grit outweighs the gloss.
The film explains the history fairly well, but the storytelling is stretched, and the score is often melodramatic and intrusive. It also largely bypasses any thorny issues, like Native American claims to the land and slavery. Despite being only tenant farmers, Washington’s property had slaves, and this just seems accepted here (Washington, in later life, opposed slavery), while the Native Americans are stereotyped. No-one will accuse this film of being ‘woke’.
Young Washington has the whiff of American patriot propaganda, and there’s more to come – a middle-aged Washington is reportedly in the works. It will undoubtedly come with an even bigger side order of patriotic cheese.
