‘Young. Wild. Free. Review: Teen Drama Veers OffTrack When Nightmare And Dream Girl Collide
"Rebel Without a Cause", "Bonnie and Clyde", "The Wiz", "Thelma and Louise", "Reservoir Dogs", "The Unforgiven", "Dard and Confused", "Fight Club", "Kill Bill" - Reference films "Young. Wild. Free". fast and furious Unfortunately, viewers who haven't seen all of the above will only appreciate the footage on which the film's plot is based, including the finale twist that improves or deteriorates depending on one's perception. Everything will come. Before.
Where "YWF" works best is the exceptional performance of superstar lead Algee Smith ("Euphoria"). Smith plays Brandon, a smart high school student who has to live in different roles every day: loyal son, loving brother, aspiring artist, family man. Her mother (Sanaa Lathan, who is also the CEO) has a mental illness that keeps her in bed all day, and her boyfriend (a wonderful Mike Epps) only shows up occasionally—mostly to steal her prescriptions.
Brandon is determined to provide a stable life for his younger brother (Jeremiah King) and younger sister (Issa Eden), but is dismayed to learn that his family may lose their home in South Los Angeles due to unpaid taxes.
Enter Cassidy (Sierra Capri, "On My Block"), Brandon's manic dreams or nightmares. It's hard to say which was which, because it changed his life so quickly and completely. Cassidy is also unhappy, but it shows through his actions: robbing a store, speeding around a corner in his red BMW, and holding a loaded or unloaded gun. Beautiful, smart and for anything. So Brandon tagged along, we can assume he and we both had an accident.
It's the first film from writer-director Thembi Banks, who has had a successful career in television (including an Emmy nod for Murder in the Building Alone). As a director, Cassidy has a vested interest in the films he loves and a clear connection. But much of the script (which he co-wrote with Joel Taylor) feels like Cassidy has come up with more passion than perspective.
When a movie has a story, characters, and location so similar to what we've seen before, it takes a very strong point of view to cut through the realm of respectability or clichés. Cassidy is the driving force behind the scheme in many ways, but remains a device designed to be Brando's chauffeur, muse, scapegoat, and gift.
It's a good thing Smith is appearing in a completely different movie. While her relationship with the adults is interesting, they and Cassidy get in the way. Thanks to his wide-ranging and dazzling performances, we follow Brandon everywhere. But if you think you'll find your final destination a few kilometers away, you might be right. And I've seen too many movies to fully appreciate it.
Free youth game. It will have its world premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.
