RATING 3.5 out of 5

Young Werther soars thanks to Douglas Booth’s charming and terrific performance as Werther, which is matched in quality by the entire supporting cast and technicals, creating one hilarious, moving and highly entertaining film. 

Classic literature is a popular and often great source material for modern romances and romantic comedies. It’s been proven time and time again with fan favourites like Clueless, 10 Things I Hate About You and Anyone But You. While the source material of this film is not widely known in today’s society, The Sorrows of Young Werther took Europe by storm in the late 1700s, and it's getting a modern update that will hopefully have the same effect on today’s audiences. Set in Toronto, this reimagining of the classic novel boasts a talented cast led by Douglas Booth and Alison Pill and artistic vision that amplifies this tragic romance that audiences will no doubt fall in love with.

Without question, the reason to catch Young Werther is for Booth’s excellent lead performance in the titular role. Within seconds of appearing on screen, Booth’s wit, charm and sophistication lights up the screen and immediately makes you fall in love with the old soul that is Werther thanks to his quirky comedic timing and natural charisma. His hopeless optimism is played to an earnest sweetness that becomes the focal point of the film, allowing the coming of age and romance aspects of the story to reach their full potential. While Booth has starred in some major projects in the past, this is the career launching performance that proves he deserves to be a leading actor in more. As his love interest Charlotte, Pill is sweet as this young woman looking from an escape of her life of responsibilities as she strikes up a friendship with Werther and enjoys a summer of bliss, fun and lust. Her romantic chemistry with Booth is passionate, finding a deep connection that extends beyond words of affirmation and cute moments, while the change in her attitude in the film’s second half helps to fuel the emotional conflict at the centre of the story. With both Booth and Pill at the helm of the film, the film becomes an incredibly delightful viewing. In the supporting cast, Iris Apatow delivers some wonderful comedic moments as Charlotte’s younger sister Sissy, while Patrick J. Adams balances responsibility and protection to great effect as Charlotte’s hard working fiancée to create his complex character, both helping to create a strong core cast to bring to life this story. 

While on the surface Young Werther appears to be a story of a romantic love triangle, the film is so much more than that. Romance may be the conduit for the story, but the story is about unrequited love, the complexities of relationships, and the intersections of different emotions, exploring the faults and strengths within us all. There is no good guy, there is no bad guy; it’s a story that explores the grey areas of relationships and emotions, creating an engaging narrative that becomes an intoxicating watch. The dialogue for Werther keeps the metre of the novel which helps to build the optimistic, old soul of the character, that while feels distracting to start, only adds to the film’s charm. With the building emotions and situational complexities over the course of the film, the final act hits an emotional breaking point that propels all of the characters into the next chapter of their lives with a tragic, bittersweet and ultimately beautiful ending that allows viewers to leave the film on the best note possible. All around, it is an excellent screenplay from writer and director José Avelino Gilles Corbett Lourenço that ensures that the entertaining aspects of the film are balanced perfectly with the deeper and more moving aspects of this tale of tragic romance.

While the story and performances speak for themselves and make Young Werther worth a watch, the film is visually stunning that only enhances the film’s overall experience. The use of colour throughout the film mirrors Werther’s journey, showing a bright, colourful world as he first arrives in Toronto and begins to fall in love with Charlotte, from the vibrant costumes and neon lighting of the bar where they share their first night together. But as the narrative progresses, the colour becomes more saturated and neutral, reflecting the tragic ending to Werther’s time in Toronto, which only amplifies the film’s narrative. Equally as impressive is the costumes which effortlessly capture Werther’s kindred, old soul through his vintage, tailored costumes that are contrasted to the modern clothes worn by the other characters and matched by Charlotte during their blossoming connection. The costumes and colours are a smaller detail that may be lost on the more casual viewer, but they are a welcomed addition to this already great film. 

With so many films being released recently in the romance genre that all tread similar ground, Young Werther is a refreshing breath of air as it is more than just a romance. It’s an insightful character piece in a coming of age story that has all the laughter, romance and life lessons that audiences will want from such a film. Led by the spellbinding lead performance of Douglas Booth as Werther and great colouring and costumes that amplify this classic romance, Young Werther is an enchanting and entertaining coming of age romance that is bound to become a fan favourite.