While We're Young

Middle-aged filmmakers Josh and Cornelia Srebnick are navigating the rocky waters of their marriage while living in New York City. For the past decade, Josh has been struggling with the post-production of his documentary about the leftist intellectual Ira Mandelstam, all the while refusing to let his producer wife, Cornelia, assist with the project.

After delivering a lecture at his college, he meets Jamie and Darby Massey, an energetic millennial couple who express their admiration for Josh’s work as well as for his esteemed father-in-law, Leslie Breitbart. Captivated by Jamie and Darby’s free-spirited lifestyle, Josh and Cornelia soon find themselves immersed in their bohemian world.

Aspiring filmmaker Jamie engages Josh in discussions about their creative endeavors, drawing inspiration from Josh’s own documentary. This enthusiasm fuels Jamie to pursue a film centered around reconnecting with an old high school friend discovered through Facebook. During an ayahuasca ceremony, a trippy experience leads to an unexpected kiss between Cornelia and Jamie, resulting in Josh approving of Cornelia’s participation in Jamie’s film.

Their project takes a darker turn when they locate the friend Kent Arlington, only to learn he was involved in a tragic civilian massacre during an Army tour in Afghanistan. This revelation complicates Jamie’s film, turning it into a sensational narrative.

As Josh struggles to sell his intellectual documentary to a hedge fund investor, he seeks feedback from Leslie, resulting in a heated argument about his and Cornelia’s challenges with parenthood, further deepening his insecurities.

While attending a screening of Jamie’s film, which receives high praise from Leslie, Josh finds himself envious and at odds with Cornelia. Following a confrontation with her about Jamie’s triumph, the couple temporarily separates. After meeting with Darby, who reveals Jamie’s increasingly selfish behavior and the kiss shared with Cornelia, Josh’s jealousy intensifies.

While working with his editor, Josh stumbles upon footage that uncovers the truth behind Jamie’s project, indicating the meeting with Kent was staged. Confronting Kent unveils that he was genuinely friends with Darby rather than Jamie. Armed with this revelation, Josh attempts to confront Jamie at a tribute for Leslie, chastising him for compromising honesty in his storytelling. Surprisingly, Leslie brushes it off, valuing the story regardless of its authenticity, leaving Josh feeling defeated.

However, in a moment of vulnerability, Josh confesses to Leslie that he understands the need for revisions in his own film. Outside, a reconciliation occurs between Josh and Cornelia, signaling renewed hope.

Fast forward one year, the couple is en route to the airport to adopt a newborn in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. As Josh flips through a magazine, they come across an article hailing Jamie as a genius in filmmaking, to which they react candidly with, > “He’s not evil, he’s just young.” In a poignant moment, they observe a child at the gate playing with an iPhone, hinting at the complexities the next generation will bring as they grapple with starkly different ethics and morals.

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 15:51