Only The Young

Only The Young is an remarkable documentary film released in 2012. Directed by Elizabeth Mims and Jason Tippet, the film follows the lives of three teenage friends Garrison Saenz, Kevin Conway, and Skye Elmore, living in a decaying town nestled in the suburban outskirts of Southern California. The film serves as a testament to youth and its fleeting beauty by offering an intimate glimpse into the lives of these teenagers as they navigate the complexities of growing up in modern America. Dispatching insights into faith, love, heartbreak, and friendship, the documentary offers undertones of poignant reflection on adolescence against the backdrop of an impoverished and recession-hit American suburbia.

Garrison Saenz and Kevin Conway are inseparable best buddies, skateboarders whose camaraderie, infectious laughter, genuine friendship and shared dreams come alive on the screen. Skye Elmore, on the other hand, introduces the triangle of a gentle kind of puppy love. Her friendship with both boys forms an integral part of the narrative, adding layers to it. The three of them explore their town, survive the boredom and lack of opportunities with their playful, imaginative spirit, and a common love for punk rock.

One of the film's main triumphs is its ability to paint pictures of these teenagers' lives against a range of beautiful, derelict landscapes, and dilapidated edifices that embody the woes of their economically struggling hometown. The camera follows them around abandoned houses, silent skate parks, and empty streets. Yet, the gritty backdrop only serves to highlight the characters' youthful vibrancy and the pastel tones of their shared experiences.

The film employs a vérité style of documentary filmmaking, allowing the audience to feel as though they are simply observers of authentic, real-life interactions rather than staged performances. This format works wonders in avoiding the sensationalism often associated with portrayals of teenage life, instead revealing the honest beauty and challenges of being on the brink of adulthood. It helps to give the audience a raw and unprecedented look into these teenagers' lives, amplifying their playful personality, dreams, and the dynamic of their friendship. The non-intrusive style of filming also heightens the sense of realism throughout.

However, what truly sets "Only The Young" apart is how it manages to capture the contradictions of teenage life with heartfelt accuracy. It beautifully brings out the tenderness between the rough exterior of young adulthood – showcasing the vulnerability and search for identity amidst moments of juvenile fun and adventure. It portrays how the protagonists are alternatively childlike and mature, flitting between moments of playful pranks and deep personal conversations, between dreams of skate parks and the reality of job hunts.

The cinematic treatment of the film makes it a compelling visual journey. It uses strong visuals of the urban wasteland combined with a vivid, nostalgia-tinged soundtrack that beautifully complements the narrative. The film also employs the creative usage of handwritten letters as a narrative device, which introduces an old-world charm to this contemporary tale. These avenues echo the characters' expressions, emotions, and dilemmas, thereby adding depth to the narrative.

Religion, too, forms a broad subtext that runs through the movie, subtly detailing the influence evangelical Christianity has on their lives. It's interesting to observe how the significance of their faith fluctuates as they traverse the path from childhood to adulthood.

In conclusion, "Only The Young" celebrates the simplicity of youth and the bravery to dream amidst the hardship of socio-economic hurdles. It provides authentic, grounded perspectives on overlooked characters, masterfully spinning a tapestry of friendship, faith, and love against the backdrop of desolation. The documentary is heartwarming, soul-stirring, and deeply empathetic in its storytelling, compelled by its charismatic and endearing protagonists. Both filmmakers and cast succeed in creating a visually rich, emotionally resonant portrait of adolescence that is bound to connect with audiences all over.