Young. Wild. Free.

Young. Wild. Free.
Film poster
Directed byThembi Banks
Written byJuel Taylor
Tony Rettenmaier
Produced by
  • Charles D. King
  • James Lopez
  • Poppy Hanks
  • Tommy Oliver
  • Baron Davis
  • Tracy "Twinkie" Byrd
Starring
CinematographyCary Lalonde
Dennis Zanatta
Edited byLindsay Armstrong
Release dates
  • January 22, 2023 (2023-01-22) (Sundance)
  • June 27, 2024 (2024-06-27) (BET+ )
Running time
113 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Young. Wild. Free. is a 2023 American drama film written by Juel Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier, directed by Thembi Banks and starring Algee Smith. It is Banks' feature directorial debut.[1][2][3]

Plot

A teenager struggling to provide for his younger siblings in Compton finds his life turned upside down when he's held at gunpoint by the girl of his dreams.

Cast

Production

According to Banks, the first day of filming occurred on March 11, 2020 and then filming was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] In August 2022, it was reported that production on the film was underway in Los Angeles.[5]

Release

The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in the Library Center Theater on January 22, 2023.[6][7]

This BET+ original produced by MACRO premieres on BET+ June 27.[8]

Reception

The film has a 67% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on fifteen reviews.[9]

Tomris Laffly of Variety gave the film a negative review and wrote, "An Uncertain Script Saddles a Stylish Coming-of-Age Movie Full of Los Angeles Love."[10]

Esther Zuckerman of IndieWire graded the film a C− and wrote, "Trust me, you’ve heard this one before."[11]

Patrice Witherspoon of Screen Rant awarded the film four stars out of five.[6]

References

  1. ^ Genai, Shanelle (January 24, 2023). "Sundance 2023: Algee Smith Takes a Convincing Turn Towards Recklessness in Young.Wild.Free". The Root. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  2. ^ Penrice, Ronda Racha (January 25, 2023). "SANAA LATHAN, ALGEE SMITH AND SIERRA CAPRI DISCUSS 'YOUNG. WILD. FREE'". Ebony. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  3. ^ Hullender, Tatiana (January 26, 2023). "Young. Wild. Free. Director On The Challenges Of Her Colorful Film Debut [Sundance]". Screen Rant. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  4. ^ ""It Was a Blessing in Disguise To Have More Time"; Thembi Banks, Young. Wild. Free". Filmmaker. January 25, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  5. ^ Corrine, Amber (August 14, 2022). "Sanaa Lathan, Mike Epps, And More To Star In 'Young. Wild. Free.'". Vibe. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Witherspoon, Patrice (January 26, 2023). "Young. Wild. Free. Review: Banks' Bold Feature Debut Is Captivating [Sundance]". Screen Rant. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  7. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 26, 2023). "Thembi L. Banks & Cast On Finding The Fire In 'Young. Wild. Free.' – Sundance Studio". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  8. ^ "Summer's Almost Here! 5 Movies to Keep on Your Radar". BET. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  9. ^ "Young. Wild. Free". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  10. ^ Laffly, Tomris (January 22, 2023). "'Young. Wild. Free.' Review: An Uncertain Script Saddles a Stylish Coming-of-Age Movie Full of Los Angeles Love". Variety. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  11. ^ Zuckerman, Esther (January 22, 2023). "'Young. Wild. Free.' Review: A Stylish, Letterboxd-Friendly Drama That Goes Further Off the Rails with Each Twist". IndieWire. Retrieved August 15, 2023.