This Is Our Youth
Set over 30 years ago; written about 20 years ago; feels totally current. The angst, the identity crises, the longing to rise above your parents and figure out what makes you happy... It's all the same. Methods, cultural references and technology might be different, but that's superficial. This is our youth. Set on the Upper West Side in March 1982, Kenneth Lonergan 's long-gestating This is Our Youth takes a look at disaffected, upper-middle class (maybe wholly upper class) Jewish young adults, who are not quite ready for the "adult" part of that descriptor. Lights come up on Dennis (Kieran Culkin), who is pulled out of his TV-watching trance when Warren (Michael Cera) rings his buzzer. Warren has been kicked out of his home by his father and is looking to crash with Dennis, who is definitely Warren's weed connection, and possibly his friend. The two pontificate on life, and think up Ponzi-like schemes to get money and girls. Enter Jessica (Tavi Gevins...