“Young Washington” a Heartfelt and Rousing Portrait of America’s Founding Father
- Matt Palmer
- Jul 17
- 3 min read
Released on July 3, this historical epic not only blew past box office expectations but also ended up being extremely well-liked by audiences. While most critics gave “Young Washington” mixed reactions, a lot of audiences (and myself) have heavily praised this film. After finally getting a chance to see the film that initially wasn’t on my radar, this is truly a remarkable film that is a MUST SEE!
Before he was the Father of a Nation, he was a soldier fighting to survive. A single misstep thrusts young George Washington into the center of a major conflict, testing his honor, loyalty, and courage.
As alliances crumble and the frontier erupts into war, he must confront not only his enemies but the man he’s becoming.
“Young Washington” delivers us a grounded, refreshing look at the first president's early life rather than a typical post-revolution hero worship. The film also features an engaging story, great performances and has the ability to show how greatness and humility emerged from his formative mistakes.
The film shows us a different side of George Washington that’s rarely seen - a man in his 20s who’s overly ambitious, brash and highly prone to failure. Throughout the film, we see the younger Washington make massive blunders that accidentally started the French and Indian War and is struggling deeply with his ego at times. Watching him learn hard lessons and earn his wisdom made him feel like a real, relatable person rather than a sterile history lesson.
One of the biggest highlights of the film is William Franklyn-Miller’s portrayal of the young George Washington. His performance delivers emotional vulnerability as he effectively captures the future leader’s ambition and moments of doubt.
The cinematography featured in “Young Washington” is really incredible and the film brilliantly captures just how vast, untamed, and dangerous the American frontier felt in the 1750s. Just seeing how incredible the film made the American frontier look, it really feels like you’re transported back to colonial America.
“Young Washington” also gives us some moments that truly stand out and some of these segments are packed with high-stakes survival, heavy-handed life lessons, and raw battlefield chaos. Before the battlefield chaos begins, Washington’s survival skills are tested as he and his scout Christopher Gist attempt to cross a freezing, violent river on a makeshift log raft. It’s a beautifully shot, rugged sequence that underscores the brutal reality of the 1750s American frontier.
There’s also the blunder at Fort Necessity that’s an emotional turning point for not only the film but for Washington himself as we see the young Washington feeling defeated and this scene shows him hitting rock bottom, stripping away his ego. The film concludes with a massive, heart-pounding final battle that also serves as a redemption for the young George Washington and honestly, I really didn’t want it to end.
While critics gave the film a mixed to positive reaction, mainstream audiences have embraced the film as a patriotic and engaging historical drama. General audiences have also embraced it as an uplifting, family-friendly epic that should not be missed. And, now that it's announced that the production team is working on a follow-up to this film, I’m already on board!
Cast: William Franklyn-Miller (George Washington); Mary-Louise Parker (Mary Washington); Leo Hanna (Christopher Gist); Mia Rodgers (Sally Cary); Joel David Smallbone (William Fairfax); Kelsey Grammar (Lord Fairfax); Andy Serkis (General Braddock); Ben Kingsley (Robert Dinwiddie); John Foss (Lawrence Washington); Montana Cypress (Chief Red Rock)
Writer/director: Diederik Hogstraten (writer); Tom Provost (writer); Jon Erwin (co-writer/director) (Jesus Revolution; American Underdog; I Still Believe)
MPA: Rated PG-13 for sequences of strong war violence and some bloody images (runtime 121 minutes)
Make sure to keep on checking my page on Facebook - Wyoming County Press Examiner reviews - to see updates on the latest review slates that I am currently in the process of planning! And, here is a peek of what I have planned for the last edition of July: “The Odyssey” (new release); “Willy Wonka” (special 55th anniversary showings at the Dietrich); “Tuner” (Summer Film Festival); “Normal” (Summer Film Festival); “Thirteen Days” (final review of my America 250th slate).
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