‘YOUNG WERTHER’ (2024) A modern take on Goethe’s tragic love triangle, with an audacious turn from Douglas Booth.

YOUNG WERTHER

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Based on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe‘s smash hit 1774 novel, YOUNG WERTHER follows an ambitious man’s journey to win the heart of an engaged woman he only just met. Nothing will stand in his way of winning her heart, even if it destroys his. Filmmaker José Avelino Gilles Corbett Lourenço delivers a delightfully funny adaptation of an 18th-century tragic romance. 

Young WertherAn unspoken competition begins between the two gentlemen, with Charlotte being the prize. Werther ingratiates himself into their lives based on his instant infatuation. That is what makes YOUNG WERTHER so intriguing. You cannot help but settle into the sheer audacity of a character, living vicariously through his fearless nature. 

Paul is Werther’s hypochondriac best friend along for the ride. Jaouhar Ben Ayed tethers this role with sweet honesty and quirky physicality. He is a vital foil for our leading man. Iris Apatow is Charlotte’s sister Sissy. Her crush on Werther gives him the in with everyone. Apatow’s innocent energy beautifully balances Pill’s forced adulthood. 

Young WertherPatrick J. Adams is endlessly charming as Charlotte’s fiance, Albert. Adams’ genuine demeanor and the fact that he plays a lawyer again (Thank You Suits) makes him perfectly cast. His mature approach makes Albert all the more inviting.

Alison Pill gives Charlotte a lovely, grounded aura. The eldest of six younger siblings, to whom she is guardian, has had her self-care on the back burner for years. Werther brings her joy, filling a hole she didn’t know existed. Alison Pill is deliciously vulnerable. 

Young WertherWerther is a wealthy eccentric walking a fine between swoon-worthy and obnoxious narcissist. Douglas Booth grabs your attention from the first frame. His authentic hyper-fixation of experiencing things here and now is infectious. Booth has the energy of a Golden Retriever who is happy to see you at the end of the day. He is captivating. 

Rushmore, Cruel Intentions and Igby Goes Down would be brilliant companion watches. The soundtrack is Chef’s Kiss. The dialogue is giggle-inducing. YOUNG WERTHER tackles emotional affairs, self-sabotage, the recklessness of youth, and unresolved childhood trauma with humor and complexity. It’s a gem. Stick around for the credits. 

Young Werther Trailer:


YOUNG WERTHER will be in Theaters, On Digital and On Demand December 13, 2024.

 

YOUNG WERTHER is directed and written by José Avelino Gilles Corbett Lourenço (Hollow Bones, “The Hour”). The film stars Douglas Booth (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, LOL), Alison Pill (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Goon), Iris Apatow (Funny People, Knocked Up) and Patrick J. Adams (“Suits,” Clara).

SYNOPSIS: Patrick J. Adams, Douglas Booth and Alison Pill star in this romantic comedy based on the classic smash hit novel of tragic romance. While on a simple errand to Toronto, a carefree and charming young writer named Werther stumbles across the love of his life only to discover that the young woman is engaged. Despite the urgings of his hypochondriac best friend, Werther turns his world upside down in a desperate, misguided and hilarious quest to win her heart.

 

Run Time: 101 minutes    Rating: R

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Interesting trivia about Wes Anderson movies

In honor of Isle of Dogs coming out this week, I’ve put together this fun little trivia database. Here are some highlights:

  • 13 actors have been in another Wes Anderson movie
    • Bill Murray
    • Jason Schwartzman
    • Tilda Swinton
    • Jeff Goldblum
    • Edward Norton
    • Bob Balaban
    • Anjelica Huston
    • Roman Coppola
    • Frances McDormand
    • Kara Hayward
    • Harvey Keitel
    • F. Murray Abraham
    • Fisher Stevens
  • 6 actors have all been in the last 3 Wes Anderson movies
    (Isle of Dogs, The Grand Budapest Hotel & Moonrise Kingdom):

    • Bill Murray
    • Jason Schwartzman
    • Tilda Swinton
    • Edward Norton
    • Bob Balaban
    • Harvey Keitel
  • Owen Wilson and Roman Coppola are now tied with the number of movies written with Wes Anderson (3) and both have been nominated for an Oscar.
    • Owen Wilson: 2002 Oscar Nominee for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen: Wes Anderson, Owen Wilson [The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)], Rushmore, Bottle Rocket
    • Roman Coppola: 2013 Oscar Nominee for Best Writing, Original Screenplay: Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola [Moonrise Kingdom (2012)], Isle of Dogs, The Darjeeling Limited
  • Wes Anderson uses the same cinematographers.
    • Tristan Oliver: Isle of Dogs & Fantastic Mr Fox
    • Robert D. Yeoman: 2015 Oscar Nominee for Best Achievement in Cinematography: Robert D. Yeoman [The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)], Moonrise Kingdom, The Darjeeling Limited, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, The Royal Tenenbaums, Rushmore, Bottle Rocket

If I Chose the Academy Award Winners and Nominees – 2015 edition

I’ve now seen most of the films that had a release in 2014. This makes me more qualified to vote for the Oscars than 97.548% of the Academy’s membership. With the Oscar ceremony occurring tonight, I’ve picked, as I have the previous two years, who I think the nominees and winners should be in the bulk of the major categories. Once again, the foreign film category will be left off because I simply haven’t had access to enough foreign films to make a comment on them. Those that have made it to my neck of the woods, I will say, have been very good for the most part. Read More →

Heartland Film Festival 2014 Jeremy’s Review/Interview: ‘Ben’s at Home’ Is an Incredibly Engaging and Delightful Comedy + Interview with Co-writer/Director Mars Horodyski & Co-writer/Star Dan Abramovici

BENS_AT_HOME_POSTER-731x1024Neil Sedaka famously sang in that once ubiquitous 60s song that breaking up is hard to do. When people are forced out of relationships, they can take it a number of ways, right? Some people move on without hesitation, others get terribly emotional and cry, while others attempt great romantic gestures meant to win back the heart of their love. And some, they just internalize the pain, retreat from friends and family, and do their best to avoid anything that can hurt them again in the same way. And that’s what happens in the wonderful comedy Ben’s at Home, co-written and directed by Mars Horodyski. Read More →

Michael’s Undeniable, Unequivocally Awesome and Undisputed Top 40 Movies of the 90’s!!!

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People…there is a list!…there is ALWAYS a list!

People have been fighting for centuries over each other opinions on “which (fill in your subject matter here) is best” or what is the “top 10 (fill in your subject matter here) of all time” Read More →