Anya Taylor-Joy and Dean Charles Chapman in HERE ARE THE YOUNG MEN
Based on the acclaimed novel, Here Are The Young Men by Rob Doyle, Eoin Macken’s film, HERE ARE THE YOUNG MEN, catalogues the calamitous and catastrophic post school year of three Dublin boys – best friends intent on celebrating their newfound freedom from school with an epic, debaucherous bender.
The film begins with Alpha male of the trio, Kearney, leading his cohorts, Matthew and Rez, on a vengeful spree of vandalism against their school and the vehicle of a particular teacher.
It’s a scene of distilled peer pressure, illustrating the power the misogynist, toxic teen, Kearney, has over his mates.
Kearney is intent on going to America – he’s Trumpian droog who fantasises being a guest on an American talk show where women are abused and the homeless harangued and harmed.
Rez, a sort of Neil type from The Young Ones, decides to end it all by jumping off a bridge into a river.
It’s Matthew, the meeker and certainly more sensitive of the trio, who carries the conflict of the movie. He has a crush on whip smart Jen, an affection that is reciprocated, but the bond of bro-mance with Kearney runs interference.
Dean Charles-Chapman gives a compelling performance as the conflicted Matthew, sensitive to his TV screen addicted single mum as well as his romantic interest, Jen. Fin Cole is broodingly brutish as Kearney, and Travis Fimmel is superbly sleazy as the vile and toxic talk show host.
Kudos to Anya Taylor-Joy as Jen, who teaches these moronic young men a thing or two about respect, consent and misogyny either pronounced or latent. Her characterisation and presence is the ace up this film’s sleeve.
As a cautionary tale, HERE ARE THE YOUNG MEN is a film recommended to all young men showing that buddies can be baddies, that male bonding can all too easily slip into emotional bondage and manipulation, and that existing sexist attitudes need to be challenged.
HERE ARE THE YOUNG MEN due for Home Ent launch August 4 – thru DEFIANT
Feature photo Dean-Charles Chapman, Ferdia Walsh-Peelo and Fin Cole.
