whk-64645 Review of Here Are the Young Men

Here Are the Young Men (2020)

AnyaTayJoy's another influential role.

[6/10 · 7 December 2020]

The first turning point in the story takes place when the three boys witness the death of a child in a road accident. This traumatic event seems to gradually shake up the trio, and Matthew in particular, who later begins to question his dangerous friendship with Kearney. Their conflicts become more open when Kearney starts harassing a homeless man and pushes Matthew to give him some lethal drugs. While all of the adults remain on the fringes of the narrative, Matthew's girlfriend, Jen (Anya Taylor-Joy), plays a more influential role, acting as a sort of "voice of conscience". She appears to be much more mature and self-aware than the three boys, and invites Matthew not to be ashamed of his sensitivity. On the whole, the drama is characterised by an engaging narrative pace (enhanced by a number of smooth editing choices) as well as by a powerful score and some dynamic cinematography that accurately depict the turbulent (and hallucinatory) lives of these three "young men". A recurring device that brings in Matthew and Kearney's trippy experiences is the fictitious television programme Big Show!, the crazy host of which recklessly encourages behaviour of the worst kind. While these intermissions may initially appear as a little over the top, they effectively serve the purpose of visualising - and emphasising - the characters' distorted perception of themselves and the reality surrounding them, which will be essential to the development of the final stages of the story.

Here Are the Young Men was produced by Hail Mary Pictures (Ireland), Foton Pictures (USA), Funny Leopard (Ireland), Glanzrock Productions (USA), Egg Studios (Ireland) and Union Entertainment Group (USA). Its international sales are being handled by US outfit Arclight. Review by Davide Abbatescianni