In a world where water has become a scarce commodity, people are forced to adapt to a more primal lifestyle. Jake Paltrow’s directorial debut, Young Ones, is an ambitious and artsy story of survival that trades in suspense-riddled minimalism for something more sweeping and timeless.
Desolate landscapes have become a harsh reality
The film is set in a dystopian future in the Southwest, where people struggle to survive in a world without water. Ernest Holm, played by Michael Shannon, transports supplies to make money to feed his kids, Mary and Jerome. However, their lives are disrupted by Flem Lever, a roughneck with a problem with Ernest concerning the land.
Ernest Holm, the struggling father
The drama unfolds as the relationships between the three main men become increasingly tense. The film’s uneven pacing and tonal imbalance may not please everyone, but it’s these quirks that make Young Ones stand out. With pitch-perfect cinematography and an offbeat relationship between a father and his son, the film has a nostalgic feel reminiscent of Wes Anderson’s post-apocalyptic Wonder Years.
A futuristic aid in a desolate world
However, the story takes a turn with Flem’s story, and the film’s tone shifts to resemble Sam Peckinpah’s version of a 1980s TV miniseries. The plot then focuses on Jerome, and the film becomes a Quentin Tarantino movie where the characters have nothing witty or perverse to discuss. The sci-fi elements, including a robotic mule, add a touch of futuristic realism to the story.
The harsh reality of a water-scarce world
Despite its flaws, Young Ones is strengthened by its stunningly realized setting and gorgeous scenic shots. The film’s direction can be distracting at times, with nearly every camera trick in the book showing up, but the story has been trimmed of fat, and the actors bring the characters to life. With silent white-on-black opening credits and slightly pretentious actors-on-curtains closing credits, Young Ones is definitely a piece of cinema more than it is a piece of storytelling.
Flem Lever, the roughneck with a problem
In the end, Young Ones is a quirky, imaginative, and sporadically dark tale of survival and how bad things can get before they get better. With its unique blend of sci-fi elements and post-apocalyptic drama, the film is a must-watch for fans of the genre.
