Young Washington
- 5 minutes ago
- 3 min read
A red, white and blue splash of patriotism, history and American pride, YOUNG WASHINGTON is perfect viewing for this July 4th weekend. HAPPY 250 America!
A stellar cast takes you through the very young days of our first President, focusing on his very earliest days of fighting for the King's army against the French.
I realized how little I knew about Washington, or maybe I should say how little I retained from those school days long ago.
Yes, a cherry tree takes a chopping, but it's a very minor plot point in his fascinating youth.
A great cast assembles around perfectly cast newcomer William Franklyn-Miller as Washington. But before we see him grown up, we meet the very young George (very capably played by Will Joseph). He's rebellious, wants to be in school and does not want to live the simple life of a farmer. His much older brother Lawrence (John Foss) has married well and serves in the KIng's army, serving as a mentor for the ambitious George.
Mary Louise Parker plays his widowed Mother, Mary Washington, trying to hold a farm together after the sudden death of her husgand, George's father.
He soon grows up to be Franklin-Miller, who has great screen presence and charisma, showing all the traits of being a leader long before anyone wants to give him a chance.
Kelsey Grammar is terrific as Lord Fairfax, one of the "haves" to George's "have-nots". Fairfax and Washington have an excellent scene together as George sneaks into a fancy party at the sprawling Fairfax estate, with the goal of finding a way into a better life. Their repartee is a highlight that sets the film on a great path.
At the same party, George meets Sally Cary (Mia Rodgers) who has seen George sneak in the back door, but clearly admires his style.
The film details how Washington began surveying uncharted parts of America, a long journey that led to encounters with a Native American chief named Half-King Tanacharison (well played by Ryan Begay). The relationship between the two men anchors the second half of the film. The politics and power shifts in the new land of America serve up plenty of drama and tension.
The film has a big budget feel in both its scope and photography by Kris Kimlin, the battle scenes and historical settings. The digital effects are very good and serve up some jaw dropping vistas throughout.
Director John Erwin (The Best Christmas Pageant Ever) gives the story an enjoyable flow, teaching history through entertainment that really sticks with you.
Ben Kingsley (Gandhi, Schindler's List) is terrific as Robert Dinwiddle, a local politician who sees something in Washington and drives him forward.
Andy Serkis (Lord of the Rings) is perfectly cast as General Braddock, commanding the English army in the final battle that serves as a turning point in George's life.
It's an entertaining film that reminded me of everything from "The Patriot" to "Rocky" as Washington faces overwhelming military odds on one of the earliest battlegrounds in what would become America.
It's unabashedly bleeding the deep felt patriotism that I've embraced my entire life, instilled in me by my parents. It's the first film in a long time that got a huge round of applause in the theater as the credits began to role.
It's old fashioned, unapologetic, deeply patriotic and loves this great country. Just like me.
I can't think of a better way to spend our 250th birthday weekend than in a theater full of fellow patriots.
YOUNG WASHINGTON gets a fireworks a-blazin, hand over your heart A.
William Franklin-Miller's film debut, he's one to watch. Old George would be proud.
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