August 6th 2026

Young Washington

Holy Days

Two new offerings this week. While neither is in shoot-the-lights-out territory, both are entertaining in very diffrent genres. 

Young Washington 

Dir: Jon Erwon

Length: 121 mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJek-kc384w

© Rialto - a president in the making

George Washington (Willliam Franklyn-Miller), founding father of the USA and its first president, had a modest start in life.  In 1743, at age 11, after the death of his father, young George meets his much older half-brother Lawrence (John Foss), who is responsible for homeschooling the boy, and training him to be a land surveyor. Because George comes from a colonial family he is denied the commissioned role he so desires with the British army, but through persuasion, he gets himself a job surveying the lands of wealthy Lord Fairfax (Kelsey Grammer). His big break comes when British governor Dinwiddie (Ben Kingsley) assigns George the leadership of the Virginia militia and sends him off to deliver an ultimatum to the French army to leave the lands the Brits claim are theirs. History tells the rest of the story, and this film tells it in a way that elevates George to hero status, though not without his facing obstacles along the way. One major strength of this film is the excellent recreation of the era, both in sets and action scenes: the hardships faced by adventurous men slogging through snow and mud, encountering hostile indigenous tribes, and enduring ghastly conditions on the battlefields. All this is stirringly portrayed, especially the brutal and bloody battle scenes. Franklyn-Miller's impressive performance depicts a confident, measured young man, who, despite some catastrophic mistakes, is ready to learn from them. All the cast play their parts with authenticity (note Mary Louise Parker as George's loving and pious mother). Where the film lets itself down is with an overly patriotic gung-ho-ness that escalates in some of the latter scenes to a point of near unbelievability. At other times it feels a bit like it's skimming the surface, with insufficient originality or depth. But as an overview of the ambition and dedication that led to greatness, and of a pivotal era in history, it works well, not to mention remains pretty entertaining for most of its runtime.

3 - recommended

Holy Days

Dir: Nat Boltt

Length: 101 mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKL4c0keUqw

© Kismet - nuns on a mission with
a young friend in tow

Three ageing nuns, a small boy pining for his dead mother, a crumbling convent, and a greedy property developer - all the ingredients for a whacky New Zealand comedy. Sister Mary Clare (Jacki Weaver), Sister Luke (Miriam Margolyes) and Sister Agnes (Judy Davis) are the last occupants of a convent that has been earmarked for demolition by a property developer, in cahoots with the gambling, drinking priest, Father Findlay (Jonny Brugh). Young Brian (Elijah Tamati), whose widowed Dad (Craig Hall) has a new girlfriend, grieves for his mum and hangs out with the nuns for comfort. He hates step-mother-to-be Liz (played by the film's director), and when the nuns head off on a mission to retrieve the rightful deed to the convent, he goes along for the ride. Though predictable in parts, this film is rather delightful, with the three leads bringing plenty of fun and blasphemy to their roles, along with a true compassion and caring for Brian and for each other. Tamati is a revelation in his role, and the NZ countryside is absolutely splendid. The gentle blending of Christian tradition with that of the Maori is beautifully achieved. Brian's dead mother Paula is played by his real mother Renaye Tamati, making for some very tear-jerking scenes, all tinged with a spiritual/supernatural edge, that adds a little extra intrigue to the plot. It's the sort of old-fashioned entertainment that is a panacea to today's troubling world.

3.5 - well recommended