Young Ones (2014)

Set in the future when water is hard to find, a teenage boy sets out to protect his family and survive.

Director:

Jake Paltrow

Writer:

Jake Paltrow

Stars:

Nicholas Hoult, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Michael Shannon

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Shannon	...	Ernest Holm
Nicholas Hoult	...	Flem Lever
Elle Fanning	...	Mary Holm
Kodi Smit-McPhee	...	Jerome Holm
Robert Hobbs	...	Caleb Moore
David Butler	...	Sam Lever
Aimee Mullins	...	Katherine Holm
Christy Pankhurst	...	Robbie
Alex McGregor	...	Sooz
David Clatworthy	...	Calvin Hooyman
Liah O'Prey	...	Anna
Carel Nel	...	Bandit
Andy McPhee	...	Foreman
Barry Armitage	...	Well-dressed man
Ben Horowitz	...	Water Guard

Storyline

Set in a near future when water has become the most precious and dwindling resource on the planet, one that dictates everything from the macro of political policy to the detailed micro of interpersonal family and romantic relationships. The land has withered into something wretched. The dust has settled on a lonely, barren planet. The hardened survivors of the loss of Earth's precious resources scrape and struggle. Ernest Holm (Michael Shannon) lives on this harsh frontier with his children, Jerome ( Kodi Smit-McPhee) and Mary (Elle Fanning) fends his farm from bandits, works the supply routes, and hopes to rejuvenate the soil. But Mary's boyfriend, Flem Lever (Nicholas Hoult), has grander designs. He wants Ernest's land for himself, and will go to any length to get it. From writer/director Jake Paltrow comes a futuristic western, told in three chapters, which inventively layers Greek tragedy over an ethereal narrative that's steeped deeply in the values of the American West.

---

Plot Keywords:

post apocalypse | water | the future | ham radio | neo western | 

---

Taglines:

In a future without water vengeance will rain.

---

Genres:

Action | Drama | Romance | Sci-Fi | Western

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violence and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

South Africa Ireland USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 October 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Young Ones

Filming Locations:

South Africa

Company Credits

Production Co:

Subotica Entertainment, Spier Films, Quickfire Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The rifle/shotgun that many characters use in the film appears to be a fusion of a Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mark 3 rifle and a Mossberg Maverick 88 shotgun.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Jerome Holm: I never saw this land when it was green. My father did. He worked it before the drought came. He used to talk about it all the time. He used to talk about the wheat they grew, and the pride they felt. He always believed in the land. Even as the fights over water first divided states, then towns, and then neighbors. Most people who could, left. But he had his reasons for staying. He was convinced the land would come back. It just needed water. And he was right.

---

Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Shailene Woodley/Michael Shannon/Eric Church (2014)

---

Soundtracks

Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Written by Hank Locklin © 1960
Performed by Hank Locklin
Published by Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd.
Courtesy of Sony Music

User Reviews

This is not post-apocalyptic

I am always on the look out for anything where people are trying to survive a world that is clearly screwed. This came up on some forums as fitting the bill. It isn't. In this world people are a bit thirsty, well some of them are anyway.

This is more like a western in look, feel and in plot.

A struggling farm owner is trying to get the water company to put a main into his farm. The main character is an interesting chap with high morals, including a healthy obligation to his fellow man. He does however have some drinking demons.

What plays out is story of struggle, conflict, betrayal and absolution. Pretty much like a western then.

Performances are great, scenery and production are excellent. The story is grounded and interesting - but not particularly exciting.

A well made film with a good story - just not what I was looking for on the night.