'Young Washington' Review
- Connor Petrey
- 39 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Release Date: 07/03/26 [Cinemas]
Genre: Action. Adventure. Biography. War.
MPAA: Rated PG13.
Distributor: Angel.
The Verdict: A Must-See
From the jump, I should admit, I’m not a history buff, but with all historical dramas, I knew that Young Washington was going to be a dramatization of Washington’s young life. I took it as fact with a bit of fiction thrown in for solid entertainment.
The film starts on a strong note, with Washington waking up in a mysterious daze amid an ongoing attack. We witness, even in his discombobulated state, him taking the role of a leader and running into the warfare for the sake of his men. Cut back to his adolescence, and we witness a kid wanting to become educated, yet refused due to society's rules after his father’s passing. Therefore, his half-brother Lawrence, a high-ranking military officer, steps in and teaches him the way of a proper man in society.
There, he develops an ambition to become a leader of the British Army, which, as a colonist, was not an easy path. After infiltrating a gathering and obtaining a dangerous position to survey land that has not yet been explored (with documentation), a journey that has brought no return before. Meeting with the natives of the land, Washington learns that French forces are using British-owned land, and from there… tensions flare.
The performances are truly terrific, and while the direction dips into melodrama, the actors make the most of their material. Some surprising actors make appearances throughout, including Kelsey Grammer, Mary-Louise Parker, Ben Kingsley, and Andy Serkis in roles of prominent figures in Washington’s life.
William Franklyn-Miller is truly a breakout in the lead as George Washington, harnessing the stature, confidence, and tone you are led to believe the man had in history books. George’s relationship with his half-brother-turned-father-figure is a truly revenant pairing with Franklin-Miller and John Foss’ Lawrence, who truly embodies a brotherly bond with ease.
The battles are fast, grim, and deadly, but this film lets the action speak for itself, away from the brutality and gore of other war/battle films. The point is still very much coming across, but with less of the in-your-face realities of battle. Young Washington offers a glimpse at romance, captures Washington’s passion for his homeland, and delivers a powerful message of overcoming the odds - it’s a history lesson worth indulging in.