By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 5 cats
Director: Elizabeth Mims | Jason Tippet
Country: united_states
Year: 2012
Running time: 72
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2085888/combined
TC says: “To outsiders, Santa Clarita, California looks like a really great place to live. It is less than an hour from Los Angeles, is ranked as #18 among the Top 100 places to live by Money magazine, and sits in the shadow of Six Flags Magic Mountain. The part of the city that was previously the town of Canyon Country has had movies shoot there, like ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING, and is presently home to the crazy obstacle courses of” ABC’s runaway hit game show ‘Wipeout’.
“But if you’ve lived in Canyon Country all your life, it looks a lot different. Especially when you’re a teenager and it seems like there’s nothing for you to do. That’s the approach taken by co-director Jason Tippet, who grew up there, and his directing partner Elizabeth Mims on the documentary film ONLY THE YOUNG.
“Garrison and Kevin are best friends, and we get the feeling that it’s been this way for a very long time. They share a love for punk rock music, skateboarding, a passion for getting away from the doldrums of their everyday lives, and Jesus. Skye is Garrison’s girlfriend, of sorts – they dated, but more out of convenience than anything else. Although they do like each other more than friends…some of the time.
“Of the three, Garrison is the most average of the teens – he wants to be supportive for Kevin during an upcoming trip to Arizona for a skateboarding contest. He wants to get a car so he and Skye can do more than just hang out at abandoned water parks and mini golf courses. He wants to be there for Skye when her family loses their home in the mortgage crisis. And he wants to have fun.
“Kevin seems a bit wild – both he and Garrison want to turn an abandoned property on the outskirts of town into a skate and music mecca, even though they’re technically trespassing. Kevin is prone to incredible skateboard stunts that look great but end up breaking his board half the time. He doesn’t think his parents really know who he is or care what he does. And he’s got an issue with cutting himself.
“Both Garrison and Kevin are active in their local church, which actively runs a regular ‘skateboarding for Christ’ campaign at one of the several nearby skate parks. The owner of the skate shop where they both get their gear is the person in charge of the program, and the offer of free tacos and drinks helps get the local skate kids in to listen to them as they talk about religion and hand out pocket sized New Testaments.
“Over the course of a school year the lives of Garrison, Kevin, and Skye play out as they grow up a little bit, hang out a little bit more, experience going together and breaking up, face an uncertain future, and the prospects of no longer being around each other – Kevin’s family is talking about moving to Tennessee, and Skye’s family isn’t sure what they’re going to do if they actually DO lose their house.
“I know this is kind of rambling, but so is the movie…a rambling, intelligent, and wonderful look at the way today’s teenagers think about life, love, and the future. All three of the teenagers featured in the documentary are friendly, appealing, and fun to watch as they discuss what may or may happen to them as their lives move forward another year.
“Full review this weekend on Subject: CINEMA…but I can tell you this much – I definitely think it’s a ‘Must see’ film – and don’t be surprised if you’re utterly charmed by its openness, its likability…and its total honesty. 5 cats
“Seen at The DocYard, Brattle Theatre, 1/28/13 with co-director Tippet in attendance.”
Thom says: “This film came in on a recommendation note and I went into with no clue what to expect. It wasn’t clear to me at the beginning that the film was a documentary because nothing about it suggested that it was from the genre. I’m assuming the talented directors did their own photography as I can find nothing to indicate otherwise in the credits, but these shimmering, gorgeous, breathtaking shots are such a complete element of the film’s magic that they make the ordinary proceedings leap to a rare height of cinema wonder. The three principle characters here are young rambling teenagers in a sleepy desert California town with little going on. Kevin, Skye, & Garrison have been friends throughout high school with some romance thrown in, although another girl & guy also enter the picture so romantic allegiances can be confusing. They are all skateboarders and they are all devout Christian youths, but somehow the trio appear to be more punky than anything else. While some set pieces seem deliberately set up they only add to the simplicity of the situations and the verisimilitude of the youths. Kevin & Garrison delightfully change the color and style of their hair at the drop of a hat. While there is a lethargic and listless quality to the narrative it really most reminded me of that delightful song by The B-52s The Deadbeat Club. There is also a strong bromance going on between Garrison & Kevin although unspoken it’s a real presence permeating the film. Nothing exciting or illegal goes on but once I bonded with the flow of the film I was transfixed by the strange concoction. An excellent sound track flowed in the
background. 5 cats”