George Washington is a figure that looms large in American history. He was the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War and the first President of the United States of America. His contributions to the founding of the U.S. set precedents that impact those of us who call it home to this day and beyond.
But was he always this larger-than-life figure? His early life is well-documented, but often goes forgotten by the majority of Americans and perhaps is unknown to the rest of the world.
The movie Young Washington covers key moments in George Washington’s early life and shows how he went from the man who failed miserably at Fort Necessity to the man who crossed the Delaware.
What themes are worthy for discussion?
The impact of mentorship
At his father’s funeral, a very young 11-year-old George Washington (Will Joseph) grieves alone. His older half-brother, Lawrence Washington (John Foss), arrives on horseback and consoles George. Later, very young Washington is denied an education because of his status and takes out his anger by chopping a tree with a hatchet (a nod to the cherry tree myth). Lawrence stops him and actively takes him under his wing.
The scenes of Lawrence mentoring George showcase what happens when a positive male figure provides a troubled youth with structure and purpose. George begins to throw his passion into reading, writing, chess, the ways of civility, and the desire to be a military officer. Lawrence is careful to teach him important lessons on nobility while emphasizing that hard work and doing his chores are necessary, too.
This part of the movie is short, but endearing and foundational for the main, early-twenties Washington (William Franklin-Miller) we follow.
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Ambition versus Stubbornness
The movie navigates what it means to have ambition and what happens when it turns into stubbornness. In his early twenties, George shows great ambition and exhibits strong powers of observation. He convinces Lord Fairfax (Kelsey Grammer) to give him his first big job in surveying the uncharted Fairfax territory. He woos Sally Cary (Mia Rodgers), a young lady above his status but enraptured by his words. Governor Dinwiddie (Sir Ben Kingsley) commends young Washington’s ambition and commissions George as Major of a Virginia militia when he returns the message that the French have encampments in the land.
However, Major Washington loses sight of what obtained him admiration and starts to imitate how he perceives a British officer should behave. He stops objectively assessing the situation, which clouds his judgment.
This stubbornness leads to George’s massive failure at Fort Necessity. Instead of listening to the advice of all those around him that the Fort location has obvious weaknesses, he carries forth simply because it was what he commanded. After the battle claims many lives, including his closest friend and advisor, Christopher Gist (Leo Hannan), George surrenders. With a bad translator, George signs a French document, not knowing it states he takes responsibility for the assassination of French commander Jumonville (Clement Toyon) in an earlier ambush conducted by Washington.
How to respond to failure
We all fail. Adam and Eve failed. Abraham failed. David failed. Peter failed. Paul failed. I have failed. You have failed. But is failure the end? Does it define us? I often ponder the difference between Judas and Peter when I’m in the confession line. Both sinned against Christ. One chose despair. The other chose Christ. Where Judas wallowed, Peter repented.
Young Washington not only failed at Fort Necessity, but his love interest is betrothed to another, his brother Lawrence succumbs to tuberculosis, and his actions ignite the French and Indian War. With the weight of all that has happened, he resigns his commission and returns to Mount Vernon.
Here we find the strength of a mother. Mary Washington (Mary-Louise Parker) always wanted George home safe at the farm, while he always desired something beyond. Now that he is back home taking a hatchet to trees again, she recognizes that this is not where he should be. Instead of rejoicing that her son will be safe at home, she gives him the push that he needs to rise to the occasion. She tells him, “Failure is a tutor sent by God. If you don’t learn from it, you fail twice. If you do learn from it, you’ve earned wisdom.” George chooses to learn.
In some ways, this scene reminded me of Rocky II when Rocky is by Adrian’s side after she gives birth to their son, Robert. He suggests not worrying about the fight with Apollo Creed, and she tells him to “Win.” It is this small encouragement from the feminine genius that sends Rocky on his path to defeat Creed.
In Young Washington, George aligns his ambition and wisdom with serving others. Despite being reviled by all, Washington’s seriousness and knowledge of the terrain gain him a spot as General Braddock’s (Andy Serkis) aide. George falls ill to dysentery while mobilizing with the British army and his old Virginian militia, now under Thomas Gage (Michael Benz).
George awakens in the middle of the Battle of the Monongahela (a scene briefly shown at the beginning of the movie to set the context). He has no choice but to get up and fight. When he meets up with Gage and it seems all is lost, George needs to decide if it’s time to retreat or time to risk his life and save the Virginians pinned down by the French. He chooses to save them. Washington uses all the lessons he has learned to rescue the men, earning his respect and becoming the man who will eventually lead the colonists to Independence.
Where the movie shone
Praise has to be given to the movie’s eponymous lead actor, William Franklin-Miller. As young Washington, Franklin-Miller carries the movie with poise and holds his own with other powerhouse talent, including Mary-Louise Parker, Kelsey Grammer, Andy Serkis, and Sir Ben Kingsley. The rest of the supporting cast did a phenomenal job as well, and Jon Erwin deserves recognition for his direction of the film (he is also credited as co-writer).
The movie balanced the tensions between the British and the colonials well. While they are working together, you can see how the British constantly put the colonials down and treated them as less than.
The scenes of war are violent and jarring. There is a little bit of blood shown, but it is not gory (which is a tendency of many current movies that want to highlight ultra-realism in war scenes). To me, that is a positive because the movie is good at depicting war without letting the war scenes derail the plot. These scenes are not suitable for young children, which is why the movie is PG-13.
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Where the movie was out of tune
Some of the dialogue is too on-the-nose. It isn’t out of the ordinary for a period piece set in the 1700s to have spot-on dialogue, but it can be noticeable at times.
There is a scene at the end that depicts the “Indian Prophecy” legend where a chief who fought against Washington at the Battle of Monongahela tells him that the Creator chose him and has a spirit of protection over him. I understand why the makers included this in the movie, but it is a bit heavy-handed and narratively inconsistent with the rest of the film.
Final thoughts
Young Washington is a great movie, especially to view around Independence Day. The cinematography, plot, and acting all harmonize well. It gives inspiration to strive for humility, courage, perseverance, and faith. It makes you want to say, “God bless America.”
