The Youth in Us (2005) User Reviews

It'll be with me forever....

[djMannyKi · 9/10 · 17 May 2006]

This short has all the elements of a great movie. Every time I show it to friends (on DVR) they love it too. The dialog is so, 'real'. The acting is superb. While the effects/props weren't as convincing by themselves, taken with everything else in the shot, they are expertly placed/used. The music is so haunting, perfect for this kind of 'moment' film. People who hold dear their beliefs and thoughts are shaken to their core about what they see in this movie. Most go 'that's it?', but in the end they blossom with new understanding, and leave the movie with one word to describe it:

'Beautiful'. The beauty of the film is also skin deep. I love the fact that there aren't any conflicting views, no other voices, and the voices that you do hear, are agreeing with each other. no conflict, but at the same time there is one. And the ending made me love it more! Harsh reality sometimes IS more film worthy than any plot device, or twist.

(wasn't Joshua Leonard the guy in Blair Witch Project?) :) Movie by a fictitious dead guy..great!

Leaves you speechless

[hippo_nix · 10/10 · 18 April 2005]

I watched this short moments ago on the Sundance Film Festival website, and I must say it is absolutely astounding. I expected it to be entertaining - like all of the Sundance shorts - but I wasn't prepared for such deep sadness and yet also a sense of passion and beauty.

If you haven't yet seen any of this years entries to the festival, I suggest you go onto the site and watch these mini-masterpieces - I have seen them all, and can honestly say 'The Youth In Us' is the one that has touched my heart the most. I'm not the weakest audience member when it comes to romance in films, but my eyes flooded up so much I'm surprised I could still see the screen.

I agree with 'addicted2you', it truly is a masterful piece of directorial work, and the cinematography will just take your breath away.

I can't think of a better way to spend a spare 12 minutes.

The Youth In Us is a pitch-perfect gem.

[weareallthestuffofstars · 10/10 · 1 February 2005]

The Youth In Us is a pitch-perfect gem. I saw this stunning short at this year's 2005 Sundance Festival. The story took me on a profoundly transforming journey. The directing by Joshua Leonard, the acting of Kelli Garner and Lukas Haas, the art direction, the cinematography, the score -- every element was true to the bone. One can only hope that this exquisite and excruciating film is prelude to more great work from this gifted director.

Just as a short film is shown before a feature at Sundance, commercial movie theatres used a similar format in times past. It would be wonderful if miniature masterpieces like The Youth In Us could reach a wider audience this way.

Great

[Michael_Elliott · 27 February 2008]

Youth in Us, The (2005)

**** (out of 4)

Extremely well made and well acted short about a couple (Lukas Haas, Kelli Garner) who must look at the boy's past in order to do something in the future. I won't spoil it for anyone by saying what happens in the past or the future but when it does happen it's quite an emotional experience. This is an incredibly beautiful and touching film from director Joshua Leonard that manages to look better and seem more realistic than anything Hollywood could turn out. Haas and Garner are terrific in their roles and the film has a very touching quality running throughout.

A Bit Too Manipulative And Sappy For My Taste

[Theo Robertson · 4/10 · 20 March 2014]

I notice a lot of comments on this page can't help giving away of the theme of THE YOUTH IN US as though it's putting forward an agenda in much the same way as a politician might be putting forward an agenda . I really didn't get the feeling Joshua Leonard was stating " If you don't agree with the concept of assisted suicide then you're on a par with a genocidal maniac " . The arguing against the theme of THE YOUTH IN US is as valid as saying its title is somehow tied in with paedophilia . Both arguments are inconsequential , frivolous and wrong

However ..

... as some people have taken the time and trouble to state this is highly manipulative film making of the worst sort . My own cynical view is Mr Leonard is using the whole euthanasia angle simply as a plot device to set up a story and the message simply doesn't matter what side of the fence you're on . The two protagonists are young and relatively attractive and have everything to live for so right away you're left with the sensation that life isn't kind and bad things happen to nice people . If you've not got this small and subtle detail then don't worry because Mr Leonard will remind you at every opportunity by the most common dominator possible - playing intrusive sappy music at every opportunity on the soundtrack . I don't think there was much in the way of screeching , wailing violins but that's probably because the budget didn't reach that far . As the film ends with the death of Alicia the audience are supposed their rub their faces raw with hankies as the tears gush down their face , but I felt joy for both protagonists since Alicia's ordeal of living , of hearing intrusive manipulative muzak in her ears will now be over and how Jack being a rabid necrophiliac can now have his wicked way with her .

It may just offend your sensibilities, but it's amazing

[planktonrules · 10/10 · 8 June 2008]

For a film by a first time director, this is a simply amazing little film, though I have to admit that it's a bit hard to watch and will probably offend the sensibilities of many who watch it, as the film takes a definite stand in favor of assisted suicide. However, what I loved about the film is that I had no idea this is what the film was about until the film was more than half complete and by then I was already hooked.

In addition to the excellent way the subject was introduced, I was amazed at the very professional style of the film--with some of the best cinematography I've ever seen in a short film. Plus, this camera work was combined so well with music and images that made the film just beautiful.

As I said, this is a controversial film. I myself struggle with what I think about this debate, but the film managed to make a statement in such a literate and intelligent way, I really have to respect the team who made this film.

I'm fine with the politics of the message but the manner of delivery is cheap, mawkish and insultingly simplistic (SPOILERS)

[bob the moo · 17 March 2014]

There is no way to discuss this film without spoiling it, so I will say that this film is about assisted suicide – well, it is not so much "about" it as it is a delicately made sales pitch for it. The construct of the film is nicely made as two young lovers lie together as he tells her about his first time. He relates a story of him as a boy with a girl in the snowy woods when deer come around them with one badly injured and being eaten alive by insects. The boy then finishes off the deer as an act of mercy and it is at this point that the camera pulls back to reveal that the girl is clearly in a lot of pain and thus the relevance of the story is clear.

There are a lot of people saying how touching and beautiful this film is and I will say that technically it is very much targeted towards being beautifully introspective and full of emotion. The scenes in the snow, the close-up cameras on the characters' faces all work pretty well for what they are, and at the same time the delicate music tinks away in the background. Personally though, while some may find this wonderfully beautiful and honest, I personally found it exploitative and overly cheap. The metaphor of the deer is already cheap enough but add the snowy shot of the animals and the idealized memory type cinematography and you have something so mawkish that it is likely to make you choke.

Once the reveal occurs then, without any detail we have a touching moment of beauty as the woman fades from life and the young man mumbles meaningless platitudes about meeting again (before wandering off into the snow of his memory). It is such an obvious film that it annoyed me throughout – enough with the delicate touch of the start but the simplicity and "tarting up" of the issue in the second half just did it all the more. I'm sure many will disagree with me and this is fine, but I would at least ask that you note that I say this as someone who would support a system of assisted suicide, so it is not that the film offended me with its politics – it just offended me with the empty, floaty and exploitative way in which it presented it.

A splendid directorial debut!

[rel16801 · 10/10 · 30 December 2004]

I was fortunate to see a screening of this remarkable short film by Joshua Leonard before its premiere at the 2005 Sundance Festival. In twelve brief but exquisite minutes, Leonard takes us on a life-changing journey as he probes one of the most controversial contemporary social and ethical issues facing our society. The film embodies elegant direction, moving performances and a heart- rending story. Kelli Garner and Lucas Haas radiate as the two lovers. And, in his first venture into dramatic narrative, Leonard proves to be a director with a propitious future. I feel this short should be expanded into a feature film. It's difficult to describe talent, but as this debut film demonstrates, you know it when you see it!

The Youth in Us

[ticia565 · 10/10 · 16 May 2006]

I absolutely loved this film... So much emotion in such a small amount of time. I loved the beginning and how it completely throws you off guard. I love the story and the deer being brought in. i know that when i think of deer i think of innocence, and prosperity. Also, in Psalm 42:2 in the Bible it says, "As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God". Which could even connect the last moment when the woman says it will be okay. As if she knows she's going with God. Perhaps I am thinking way to much into it. But sometimes it is interesting to see what goes on through peoples' minds. Thank you for sharing this masterpiece with viewers everywhere. I live in Texas and I had it playing on cable... I immediately got onto the computer to find out more about this film and this amazing director! I really liked the music that was used in the background. Music can sometimes make or break a film. It definitely set the mood perfectly. Very nice choice!

Thanks again.

Laetitia

Brilliant

[armishdan · 10/10 · 18 March 2006]

I stumbled across this film while channel surfing, and was blown away. It was being broadcast on a lesser known short films program here in Australia.

It has been a long time since I have been so impressed by a film, especially one so short.

The power of the story, the quality of the acting and the stunning cinematography... wow. If it were available, it would make a very worthy addition to my DVD collection.

I am undoubtedly impressed, and I will look forward to Joshua Leonards' next film.

An exceptional experience 10/10

Not Natural

[chesterrockhard · 31 January 2005]

Though I do like the direction, scenery, and look of this film, I can't praise the screenplay. The dialogs and interaction between the two characters was way too forced. It doesn't fit the characters properly.

"The deer on the ground seemed unable to move as it had been paralyzed."

Responses to each other's comments were way too quick. Lot's of mumbling.

It's tough to comment on the acting of the two kids. There was no dialogs between them.

What I really did like was the scene in the forest. Very surreal.

I do look forward to another Joshua Leonard film. Just as long as he gets a different writer for it.

Overall, I would have preferred a more natural feel to this movie.