‘Young Werther’ Review: Irresistible Stars and a Groundbreaking Novel

“Werther!” Read the name, remember it, learn to love it. Or hate it? Nah, we’re guessing you won’t exactly detest the eponymous antihero by the end of Young WertherLionsgate’s new rom-com offering. For starters, it’s a star-making turn for lovable English lad Douglas Booth. Remember his name, too, because you’ll be seeing him in other notable works down the line (such as Terrence Malick’s upcoming biblical epic, for instance).

In the meantime, soak up his flawless American accent alongside the equally adorable Alison Pill (The Newsroom) and the deadpan funny Patrick J. Adams (Suits) for a peppy, oftentimes purposefully irreverent end result that was written for the screen and directed by José Avelino Gilles Corbett Lourenço. The cinematic fun all builds to an ending that romantic-comedy lovers might see as a betrayal, but they may not have heard of the novel.

A Romance Dating Back to the 1700s

The colorful Lionsgate rom-com originates from the 1700s, believe it or not, in the epistolary novel The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang Goethe, which would later have a substantial impact on the Romantic movement. And if you find yourself catching a sort of “Werther fever” after experiencing the infectious charm of Lourenço’s new film, the nickname, unfortunately, was previously attributed to a more morbid trend centuries ago, following the novel’s publishing. The book offers a tragic end to its eponymous lead, and writer-director Lourenço finds clever ways to pay homage to the O.G. story while elevating other components to new heights for the modern, trope-satiated moviegoer — but no spoilers here about what it all amounts to on the big screen.

Related

10 Underrated ’90s Rom-Coms

The ’90s had so many good rom-coms, that some didn’t get their moment in the spotlight. Here are 10 underrated romantic films of that decade.

The all-new film adaptation is set not overseas in Europe, but rather up north in Toronto, where budding writer Werner (Booth) finds himself, not in pursuit of love, but rather running an errand. However, as is the case with most rom-coms out there, all that changes once a beautiful, beaming young woman stumbles into his Canadian world in the form of Charlotte (Pill, more delightful than ever here).

In an elegant scene at a formal gathering involving a waltz, drinks by moonlight, and scintillating conversation, Werner finds himself falling head over heals for the bonnie lass. The magical night concludes with Werner, of course, discovering the tragic development: Charlottte is already in a relationship. In fact, she will soon enough tie the knot with handsome attorney Albert (Adams), a countdown for the ages as wheels start turning in Werther’s frenzied mind. Can he win over Charlotte in time for her to reconsider her romantic future?

A Delightful Cast Carry Out the Fun & Games

While the overly distraught Werther spends his non-Charlotte days seeking advice from equally eccentric pal Paul (Jaouhar Ben Ayed), Charlotte spends her private time playing therapist to her younger sister Sissy (Iris Apatow) — who happens to have her own crush on Werther — and seeking her own unofficial advice from best friend Melanie (The Sex Lives of College Girls standout Amrit Kaur).

Adams’ portrayal of the “bad guy” is a delight. Albert takes a liking to Werther, especially since he’s fooled into thinking the only issue at hand is that the young Sissy, who’s not even of age yet, is smitten with Werther, who’s merely perceived as a visitor in town and now a friend within Charlotte’s inner circle. The “fun and games” moments effectively keep up the film’s momentum, especially when the friendly Albert takes the inexperienced Werther skeet-shooting out in the sticks; and separately, when Werther can’t help but court Charlotte across town, causing shenanigans in various small businesses as they shop.

Reigniting the Rom-Com

The excitement understandably slows down once real melancholy invades the third act, which is handled more like an obligation than an honest reflection of reality. The filmmakers are obviously much more passionate about joy, hence the elimination of “Sorrows” from this adaptation’s title, and don’t handle the melancholy very well. However, Werther’s overly self-aware nature takes on a clever sort of meta quality — he is a writer, after all — as if Werther knows that anyone who might be watching his journey (aka us) is chuckling at how he’s no match for the powers that be.

Related

10 Underrated Rom-Coms to Stream on Tubi

Tubi has some rom-com gems that you probably haven’t seen yet. Click play, sit back, have a few laughs, and learn something new about love.

Meanwhile, there’s plenty else to enjoy from the film’s 101-minute runtime, showcasing all that glorious Toronto has to offer and proving that director Lourenço knows his way around the lens. Booth becomes a performer to watch, while the poised Pill reminds us that she can continue to soar beyond franchises like Star Trek: Picard. Seeing Suits alum Adams re-grace the screen is a breath of fresh air, and the trio provide a number of laugh-out-loud moments that remind date-night viewers of the power of the romantic comedy — even if the plot ultimately falls victim to certain traditional plot beats and clichés we can all see coming. From Lionsgate, Young Werther will be released in theaters, on digital and on demand December 13.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Pros:

– A starmaking role for the charming Booth

– Try to not fall in love with Pill here

– Lively, comically irreverent storytelling

Cons:

– Falls into familiar rom-com tropes

– Lovers of cheesy happy endings are in for a twist