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.
Lorenco gives Werther a self-awareness that gives it delightful charm. There’s a bounce and fire to Wertherthat’s infectious. 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.)
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 playing at TIFF ’24. For more information, click here.
