You can’t help fall in love with Young Werther.
Directed by José Avelino Gilles Corbett Lourenço, Young Werther tells the story of Werther (Douglas Booth), an eligible bachelor who makes a stop in Canada to retrieve his family’s precious statue from a relative. However, when he meets Charlotte (Allison Pill), he is instantly taken with her. Putting his plans on hold, Werther throws all of his energy into wooing the young woman. Standing in the way though is Charlotte’s fiancé, Albert (Patrick J. Adams), a successful lawyer who has no intention of stepping aside.
Based on Goethe’s 18th Century novel, The Sorrows of Young Werther, this film contains many of the tropes that one would expect from a rom-com structure. ‘Lovable scoundrel meets charming woman who is otherwise betrothed’ is a story that we’ve heard many times before and Werther does have moments that feel telegraphed.
Even so, Young Werther absolutely has its own enthusiasm and voice. Lorenco gives Werther a self-awareness that gives it delightful charm. (Any film that opens with a comparison between the response to its source material and Beatlemania knows exactly what type of film it wants to be.) There’s a bounce and fire to Werther that’s infectious. Sharply written, Lorenco’s script is infused with spirited banter that keeps the film feeling playful, even in moments when it steps into darker themes.
But, much of its success lies directly at the feet of its two stars in Pill and Booth. As Werther, Booth delivers an absolutely sparking performance. We are well aware of his intentions and flaws yet we’re also supportive of him (to a point). At the same time, Pill creates a delightful courage counterbalance to Werther’s smarmy glances. Together, their chemistry is absolutely palpable as each glare between them smolders. There is an undeniable connection between these two performers that gives Werther joy and makes the viewer want the two to find one another. (Although, credit must be given to Adams’ Albert who plays the role of stalwart fiancé extremely well. We want to hate him because he is the obstacle between the two leads but Adams gives us little opportunity to do so.)
What makes Werther even more intriguing though is the way that it feels current. Without giving any spoilers, Young Werther takes the rom-com tropes and still manages to create a story that feels honest for today’s culture. (After all, ‘loving the scoundrel’ doesn’t particularly make sense in the #MeToo era.)
Yet Werther’s journey is one that is as much personal reflection as it is about conquest. As a sort of coming-of-age tale, Werther becomes a story about what it means to be a man in today’s culture when faced with old paradigms of dominance and wealth. In doing so, Werther steps outside the rom-com rules to create something that feels more authentic (and relevant) today.
Young Werther is available in theatres on Friday, January 10th, 2025.
