Film Overview"Young Ones" is a 2014 film directed and composed by Jake Paltrow, presenting a post-apocalyptic situation where water has ended up being the most limited and valuable resource. The motion picture presents a dystopian vision of the future and showcases a mix of genres from western and sci-fi to drama adding to an unique storytelling experience.
PlotSet in the wasteland of the near future, the movie is divided into three segments, each concentrating on a various character: Ernest Holm (Michael Shannon), his child Jerome Holm (Kodi Smit-McPhee) and his daughter Mary Holm's sweetheart, Flem Lever (Nicholas Hoult).
Ernest Holm safeguards his dry, desolate land with unyielding determination, wanting to develop a livable environment for his children, Mary (Elle Fanning) and Jerome. Ernest also preserves hope that the self-destructed civilization will go back and rainfall will return. He even keeps the soil undamaged for the expected return of farming, trading supplies with those residing in the city in exchange for watering of his land.
Flem Lever, ends up being a rather conniving figure, who weds Mary after inflicting an accident on Ernest with the surprise intent of acquiring the land. After Flem murders Ernest, the tale carries on to Jerome who finds Flem's wrongdoings. The film's climax revolves around Jerome's vengeance versus Flem.
ThemesThe movie explores styles of survival, betrayal, love, and revenge, painting a grim picture of the battle to survive and protect enjoyed ones in an unforgiving world. It provides a compelling commentary on the paramount value of resources like water, and the lengths to which mankind can go to protect them.
Performances & DirectionMichael Shannon delivers an effective performance as the resilient Ernest Holm, capturing the character's desperation and decision perfectly. Nicholas Hoult impresses as the treacherous Flem Lever, while Kodi Smit-McPhee and Elle Fanning efficiently depict the experiences of young people attempting to browse a harsh world.
Director Jake Paltrow's raw and abundant storytelling is matched by the plain cinematography, completely recording the desolate landscape and the harsh realism of the dystopian world. The film's vision of the future is not flashy or filled with advanced innovation; instead, it's dry, dusty, and decidedly low-tech, which even more contributes to the overall grim tone.
Conclusion"Young Ones" is a gritty and special take on the post-apocalyptic category, with engaging efficiencies and a plain vision of the future. Through the story of one household, it sheds light on the battle for survival in a future bereft of natural deposits and exposes the real nature of humans under severe conditions. It is a grim discovery of what lack of resources can lead human beings to, checking their durability, survival instinct, and morality.
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