#REVIEW: “YOUNG ONES”

Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

Writer/Director Jake Paltrow certainly has big shoes to fill, coming from a talented Family, and his newest Film, Young Ones tells a captivating Story of a Town that has been stripped of its water and as a result, their fight to survive. The Story focuses on the Holm Family as well as one lone Boy, whose Family was deprived of their duties on the Supply Run, and now Flem Lever (Nicholas Hoult) has to save his Family.

The Film is told in three separate Stories, each of which focuses on a different Main Character. The Movie starts off with Ernest (Michael Shannon) as he approaches some ravagers trying to find some water in his shed. However, there is no water that is being fed into their part of the City, and only into the rest of the Town where it is being paid to go. He has to take matters into his own hands and protect his Family. We soon find out that alongside Ernest is his obedient Son, Jerome (Kodi-Smit McPhee). They command the Supply Run together, and garner profits, given to Ernest’s Daughter, Mary (Elle Fanning) since his Mother is sick and being taken care of elsewhere. The Movie focuses on the Father-Son relationship between Ernest and Jerome and at once, the  forbidden relationship  between Mary and Flem.

What proves most problematic in Young Ones is its shift of perspectives, never quite allowing one truly to indulge or develop a deep connection to any of the Film’s three Main Characters.  The Film’s greatest asset, Michael Shannon, is used sparingly  which is unfortunate as his commanding presence is one of the most delightful things about it.  A bit ambitious for the Big Screen, but perhaps better enjoyed at home for the curious.

Elevation Pictures release YOUNG ONES in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary on Friday, October 31, 2014, as well as on Video-on-Demand.