In making Young Washington, the filmmakers were tasked with telling an origin story, not just for the father of a nation, but for the nation itself. They also faced the challenge of portraying Washington with integrity, neither mythologizing him nor tearing him down.
After a brief flash-forward, the story begins with Washington as a child at his father’s funeral. The boy is approached by his much older half-brother, Lawrence, who oversees his education. From the beginning, we see that Washington is driven, not just to learn, but to change his station in life.
That desire is heightened when, as a young man, he sneaks into a party at the Fairfax estate. There, he quickly falls in love with Lord Fairfax’s daughter, Sally, though his social status should keep them apart.
The film follows Washington as he goes from a young surveyor in the Ohio Valley to a soldier, and ultimately lays the foundation for the greater things to come. While he always holds himself to a high moral standard, Washington has the pride and inexperience of youth. The consequences are costly.
Nothing about Young Washington feels cheap. The CGI elements are barely noticeable, and the costumes look lived in and worn. While the trailer suggests an action-heavy film, there are only a couple of battle sequences. Though unrealistically bloodless, they are effective.
Where the film stumbles, perhaps, is in its total focus on Washington. While all of the performances are solid, some of the side characters feel underdeveloped. That said, the cast boasts some big names. Veteran actors like Kelsey Grammer, Mary-Louise Parker, Ben Kingsley, and Andy Serkis make the most of what they are given, without being distracting.
William Franklyn-Miller, who plays George Washington, strikes the right tone of earnest sincerity. At 6-foot-4, he is also two inches taller than the historical Washington, who famously towered over many of his contemporaries.
The dialogue is filled with truthful observations and bits of wisdom. As a child, Washington was denied formal schooling. Instead, he received a classical education at home and memorized the works of Greek philosophers. As is likely appropriate to the era, none of the characters display an overt Christianity. Instead, it’s an understated belief in Providence.
Yet at one point, Washington’s mother tells him, “Failure is the tutor sent by God. If you don’t learn from it, you fail twice. If you do learn from it, you’ve earned wisdom.”
The hand of God was clearly over him. In the film’s most rousing sequence, Washington races across a battlefield, and while a musket ball goes through his hat, he remains entirely untouched. When asked how he survived, Washington replied, “A divine hand, perhaps.”
Ultimately, I don’t know if I will watch this film again. The very linear story and total focus on Washington kept me at arm’s length. However, it is a respectful portrayal of Washington, balancing foreshadowing with subtle lessons of enduring wisdom. (In theaters July 3, Angel Studios)