A Review of Young Washington

     Last week, my family and I had the privilege of watching a movie in a theatre. We don’t usually watch anything that way, instead preferring to get a hard copy when it comes out and watch at home. There are two main reasons for this. The first is that it’s expensive for a family of five to go to a theatre often. The second is that there are so few movies we feel comfortable watching without editing/filtering. Last week, we saw Young Washington on the big screen, and today I am here with a review for you. Like most nice bloggers, I’ll end my post on a positive note, so I’ll share my criticism first.

      First of all, the director Jon Erwin used AI for some of his background effects. I realize he probably employed this because Young Washington was a lower-budget film, done by a newer production company, Angel Studios. While I’m aware that AI can save time and money, it bothered me nonetheless. There were many places where I could tell that AI had been used to create an illusion of battle or scenery. My thoughts on AI aren’t completely established yet because I haven’t seen enough of it, but as an artist, I tend to find it threatening. While there will always be people that have high standards and will want original work (though there is nothing new under the sun), history has proven that society tends to trade satisfaction in a job well-done for convenience. Sometimes, that’s good. Many times, it can lead to mediocrity and a lack of appreciation and ability. Right now, it’s difficult to see where our society is heading concerning AI, and since this post isn’t about bashing it, I’ll leave off there. Suffice it to say, though, its presence was both frustrating and concerning. 

     Another thing I didn’t enjoy was the hint of the modern rebellious child in young George Washington. Right after his father dies, he finds out that he will have to quit school to stay home and help his mother run the farm. Washington throws a mini temper tantrum, talks back to his mother and runs off, determined to go to school anyway. While this scene didn’t really affect the movie in any way, it did throw me off a little. The film was just starting, and Washington’s behaviour made me worry that the rest of the movie would feel too contemporary. I needn’t have worried, but I think they could have cut the “attitude” to fit the rest of the movie. 

     Believe it or not, that’s all that really bothered me about this movie! It’s time to sing its praises. 

     First of all, I think it was a well-cast movie. There are three big names in it, lending it credibility: Kelsey Grammar, Andy Serkis, and Ben Kingsley. Aside from giving those actors another chance to play their part to perfection—especially Andy Serkis—Young Washington is a great introduction for William Franklyn-Miller. Miller plays a believable, empathetic, admirable George Washington. He manages to show Washington’s frustration with the immovable rules of the colonies, his desire to serve his fellow man, and his loyalty and affection for those who fought with him. There is real feeling in his performance, and I applaud it. 

     I also found the pure history to be a relief. No story can honestly retell what happened during the Revolutionary War, but there is as little agenda and colouring of history as I’ve seen in awhile. Both slavery and the issues of Native Americans are involved in the movie but neither of these topics are exploited to tell Americans what terrible Founding Fathers they had. As far as I know, all the events concerning the French and Indian War (also called the Seven Years’ War) are pretty accurate. Having read Land of Hope by Dr. Wilfred McClay of Hillsdale College and watched the thorough documentary The War that Made America (2006 PBS), I agreed with the facts presented in the movie. It was fascinating to find out even more about George Washington’s involvement in the precursor to the Revolutionary War.

     Another thing that I enjoyed about Young Washington was that it was mostly non-violent and free of offensive language. There were a couple scenes where I closed my eyes, but I never received the impression that I was going to be surprised with constant, unnecessary violence. Violence does bother me quite a bit. (For instance, I felt very close to throwing up while writing about one of my own characters getting stabbed.) In addition, contrasting with many movies today, when a character used God’s name, I knew it was said more as a sincere prayer than an expression of surprise—as it was in those days.

     The fourth aspect of the movie that I appreciated was its obvious acknowledgment of a divine hand in the whole business. Of course, as Christians, we know Whose Divine Hand was working to make the United States of America. While no one explicitly says anything like “The Lord was watching out for you,” the movie doesn’t shy away from the obvious. Washington is clearly seen ducking from bullets that pierce his hat and coat. He also has a horse shot out from under him. It’s impossible not to watch the movie and see how God was orchestrating events and protecting one of the greatest leaders—possibly the greatest—America has ever had.

     Overall, despite the AI and the obnoxious attitude I picked up from the very little George Washington, this movie was exciting, impactful and worth a re-watch. In fact, I can’t stop wondering when I’ll get the chance to see it again. If you were thinking about watching, maybe this will help you decide one way or another. Have you seen it already? Were you planning on it?

     Thanks for reading!