Young Washington [Tribeca Festival Review]

by Mike McGranaghan

For as monumental a figure in American history as he was, it’s strange that there aren’t more theatrically released movies about George Washington. Angel Studios’ and Wonder Project's Young Washington recognizes that void. Instead of focusing on his presidency, the film looks at his early years when he was an ambitious up-and-comer. It’s a period of his life most of us are less familiar with. Director Jon Erwin (Jesus Revolution) has made a stirring historical epic that demonstrates how crucial the time was for the man who would become our country’s first president.

Played by relative newcomer William Franklyn-Miller, Washington is moved by the battle for territory going on between the British and the French. He wants to help. His no-nonsense mother Mary (Mary-Louise Parker) does not have the status to help get him into the military. For support, he first appeals to the wealthy Lord Fairfax (Kelsey Grammer), then volunteers his services to Lieutenant Governor Robert Dinwiddie (Ben Kingsley). Washington is put in charge of a militia and gradually finds himself igniting a war between the two sides. With his leadership status under pressure, he is forced to decide what he most stands for.

The first half-hour of Young Washington is a little rocky. The story scrambles to establish all the characters and set the stage for what’s to come. In doing so, details become slightly confusing. Several supporting characters are introduced in a hasty manner that doesn’t fully clarify their importance to the plot.

After those first thirty minutes, though, the film takes off like a rocket. Action sequences, such as the Battle of Fort Necessity, are brilliantly staged, offering visceral excitement without neglecting the reasons for their historical importance. Similar tension is created from seeing how Washington strategizes. At times, he goes diplomatic; at others, he takes a more combative stance. You get a strong sense of how delicate the situation was and how he had to continually evolve his approach as new developments arose. The movie is a fine portrait of Washington going through a trial by fire, developing the skills that would someday lead him to the highest office in the land.

William Franklyn-Miller is a revelation as young George. He brings two important qualities to the figure. One is a sincere desire to make a positive difference for the burgeoning country. The other is intellectual fortitude. Washington is always analyzing outcomes, learning from mistakes, and trying to think several steps ahead of the French. A temptation must have existed to play Washington as a Great Man. Franklyn-Miller wisely avoids that, portraying him as a dutiful, morally conscious guy aware of his own limitations and determined to work past them.

A strong supporting cast backs him up. Kingsley and Grammer are well-cast as Dinwiddie and Fairfax, and Parker makes an impression as the tough Mary. Andy Serkis is here, too, delivering an impactful performance as the ill-fated Major General Edward Braddock.

Perhaps the most impressive element is the production design. This is an extraordinary looking motion picture. Sets, costumes, and locations all immerse viewers in the era, allowing the drama to play out forcefully. An old cliché exists about history coming alive, but it truly applies here. The battles carry weight because of the intricate attention to detail, as do the scenes showing Washington maneuvering his way up the ladder.

Young Washington does fall into the trap of making the man seem like an indestructible action hero during the final conflict. I doubt he actually did trick riding moves on his horse. Then again, that’s part of what makes the movie pleasurable. It’s a history lesson that’s alive, vibrant, and entertaining.

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