Young Werther

Turning classic literary novels into films with a modern twist isn’t a new concept. It’s been done with Shakespeare countless times, as well as Jane Austen, and now Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s The Sorrows of Young Werther is getting the same treatment. Of course, not every story works in a contemporary setting. Some simply don’t translate well no matter how hard you try. Fortunately, José Avelino Gilles Corbett Lourenco has made this adaptation shine, delivering a charming romantic comedy.

Who is young Werther, and who would name their child that in this day and age, you might wonder? Well, Werther (Douglas Booth) is just an ordinary man on a day trip from Montreal to Toronto—unaware that Cupid’s arrow is about to strike. While in Toronto, he spots Charlotte (Allison Pill) and instantly knows she’s the one. But things are rarely that simple. Charlotte, it turns out, has a fiancé, Albert (Patrick J. Adams). However, it’s Charlotte’s birthday, and Albert is nowhere to be found.

Werther’s luck changes when Charlotte’s younger sister, Sissy (Iris Apatow), invites him to a party that Charlotte will be attending later. He goes to the party hoping for magic, but instead, he and Charlotte form a connection and quickly become best friends. Soon, Werther and Charlotte are inseparable. He even meets Albert, who—like everyone else—is charmed by Werther. But complications arise when a kiss is shared, blurring the lines of their friendship. The question becomes: can their bond survive the tension, or will Werther find himself permanently stuck in the friend zone?

Written by Corbett Lourenco, this modernized Young Werther retains the heart and essence of Goethe’s original story, including its philosophical undertones. Lourenco avoids cheapening the material, balancing humor with meaning. While there are moments that verge on slapstick, most of the laughs feel earned. The film’s quirks work in its favor, brimming with charm and creating a world that audiences can easily immerse themselves in—a world so pleasant you won’t want to leave.

Young Werther will strike a high note with romantic comedy fans and even melt a few cold hearts. Not everything hits the mark, though. The use of montages, while filling narrative gaps, sometimes makes the pacing feel disjointed. On the bright side, these montages are filled with catchy songs, providing toe-tapping moments when the story risks feeling drawn out.

Ultimately, it’s the cast that drives the film, led by Booth and Pill. They deliver standout performances, particularly Pill, who will leave you wondering why she isn’t in more films. The movie evokes an early 2000s rom-com vibe, complete with a love triangle, fun-loving friends, and plenty of awkward sexual tension.

Young Werther is heartfelt, funny, and undeniably entertaining. Despite occasional pacing issues, it does enough to charm audiences, making it a solid pick for fans of modernized classics and romantic comedies alike.