Young Washington, a new film directed by Jon Erwin, attempts to capture the formative years of the first U.S. President, exploring the experiences that shaped his character and leadership. Despite its sincere effort, the movie is hampered by a formulaic script and evident budgetary limitations, leading to a narrative that feels more like a flat television movie than a grand historical epic.
Angel Studios' release presents a chronicle of Washington's early life, focusing on his ambition to ascend within the British establishment. The film depicts his time as an aspiring aristocrat and an officer in His Majesty's Army, a period where he grappled with the realization that his aspirations for a commission and a place in the British gentry were unattainable. His ambition drives him to volunteer for a surveying mission on the Ohio frontier, a decision that thrusts him into the heart of escalating tensions with France, igniting what would become known as the French and Indian War.
William Franklyn-Miller portrays George Washington, possessing the necessary stature for the role, though his resemblance to the historical figure is minimal. The actor endeavors to add depth to the character, and the audience develops a concern for George's journey, particularly after his significant blunder at Fort Necessity in 1754. The film highlights his interactions with key figures such as Lord Fairfax, played by Kelsey Grammer, and Virginia's Lt. Governor Robert Dinwiddie, portrayed by Sir Ben Kingsley. Andy Serkis appears as General Braddock, offering a more dynamic performance later in the film.
The narrative gains traction during Washington's frontier experiences, where he encounters the Seneca leader Tanacharison. This segment of the film culminates in the disastrous events at Fort Necessity, an avoidable defeat that forces Washington to confront his self-doubt and his faith. The role of faith is a recurring theme, characteristic of Angel Studios' productions, with Washington's mother, Mary (Mary-Louise Parker), and even the Native Americans he encountered playing a part in the belief that Providence guided his path.
The film concludes with Washington transitioning from British service to colonial allegiance, a moment framed as the climax of a superhero origin story. While unsubtle, this scene effectively serves as a crowd-pleasing culmination of his early development.
From a historical perspective, Young Washington takes considerable creative liberties. Certain significant characters meet their end years before their actual deaths, or appear in events long after their historical demise. While these alterations may serve dramatic purposes, they deviate from the historical record. Furthermore, the film acknowledges Washington's family's slave-owning background but relegates slavery to the periphery. Apart from brief acknowledgments by supporting characters, the institution and Washington's personal views on it remain largely unexplored.
Ultimately, Young Washington offers a romanticized and less dimensional portrayal of its subject, focusing on an action-hero narrative with a predetermined destiny. The film's ambition to be a sweeping historical epic is constrained by its budget and a conventional script, resulting in a storybook interpretation that, while potentially gratifying for some, leaves those seeking a more comprehensive and nuanced account of the Founding Father wanting.