It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything about the dystopian Sundance film “Young Ones.” Screen Media bought the film in May, but the months between its Utah debut and sale were rather quiet. That’s changing, with the release of two new trailers. Presumably a release date is not far behind.
Written and directed by Jake Paltrow (yep, Gwyneth’s younger brother), “Young Ones” stars Michael Shannon, Nicholas Hoult, Elle Fanning and Kodi Smit-McPhee. Dystopian with sci-fi trappings, but more of a moral drama, “Young Ones” is set in a future where a massive drought has transformed the United States into a giant wasteland, Shannon and Hoult play neighboring ranchers who will do anything to ensure the survival of their respective families, even if it means betraying one another.
Some reviews out of Sundance in January were mixed, but our critic on the ground was definitely in the pro camp. Our review described it as “Spielberg-ian” at times, said Hoult puts in his best performance to date and wrote, “it’s a modern-day western disguised within a futuristic milieu… evoking dust-bowl struggles and Americana sensibilities, ‘Young Ones’ creates a unique hybrid of genres." Two new trailers have been released in addition to a new poster and lots of new photos. No release date yet, at least, none noted in the trailers or on the Screen Media site (though it apparently hits the U.K., Canada and France August 13), but we assume, with all these elements released, one can’t be far behind.
