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Young Lion of the West

Play trailer Poster for Young Lion of the West 2024 1h 33m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 3 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
In the heart of Rochester, NY, pulses a vibrant nightlife scene, and at its center stands Nick Donato, a club promoter whose life is fueled by parties and a rebellious attitude. When a violent encounter with their criminal boss forces Nick and his best friend Raymond to start a secret venture--a rival club--it sets off a chain of events that ultimately unravels their ascent to the top. This gripping narrative intertwines themes of family, loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of destructive choices.
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Young Lion of the West

Critics Reviews

View All (3) Critics Reviews
Sean Chandler Sean Chandler Talks About Even with the limitations of being a micro-budget indie film, the creative team is able to deliver a compelling character study about how environments can corrupt. It calls to mind the style of early Scorsese. Rated: B- Aug 17, 2024 Full Review Adam Olinger Adam Does Movies (YouTube) It's refreshing to watch a film with a unique voice again. Young Lion of the West is a gritty, emotional drama, that pushes outside the comfort zone at times. While the low budget can be felt in spots; the acting, pacing, and emotional beats never miss. Jul 31, 2024 Full Review Cody Leach Cody Leach (YouTube) Young Lion is part party movie, part crime thriller, and part cautionary tale. Joey Sasso breaks his reality tv image with a layered & morally complicated character. This is what you get when young fiery filmmakers want to show what they've got. Rated: 3.75/5 Jul 23, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (68) audience reviews
Brianna F I absolutely loved this movie. Joey Sasso’s performance was amazing. I was captivated by the story. You won’t regret watching this! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/10/24 Full Review Tiffany E. M Acting was excellent! Loved seeing the Rochester elements in the movie. Went through all of the emotions. Excited, thrilling, with a sad ending that is all to true in this day in age. Bravo! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/06/24 Full Review Elina M This movie such a breath of fresh air in the sea of hollywood films that put viewer’s comfort over the power of the story, and what a powerful story this was! I found myself rooting for Nick throughout the entire film, even when he certainly didn’t deserve it because he is an example of the very harsh reality that so many people fall victim to the uncontrollable circumstances of their lives, and that there isn’t always a happy ending. His life spins violently out of control, and Sasso does a fantastic job at developing his character. His performance at the end of the film was truly so heartbreaking and continues to leave a lasting impression on the audience once the film is complete. The RAWNESS of this film is something i appreciate the most about it. It’s clear that it took a village to make this thing happen, and it’s beautiful to see what can be done with a whole lot of passion and belief in a project from such a supportive community. The edits, the unique style of this film are very intentional and enhance the emotion you feel while watching. Overall, this film is an example of what we need to see MORE of in this industry. Stories told in a real raw way that don’t prioritize the viewer’s feelings, but leave them questioning everything about what they already know. This movie touched me in more ways than one and i can’t wait to see what’s next from this very talented group! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/03/24 Full Review Mark B We chose to watch this movie because of the reviews and we have a connection to Rochester. Honestly it was terrible. The plot was nonsensical, the video quality was low budget as was the audio. The smoking, drinking and cursing were so gratuitous it was distracting. We came away from this awful movie convinced the reviews had to be from friends and family of the producers and actors. Hard pass on this one. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 08/03/24 Full Review Tina S A gripping story. Powerful performances by the actors. Especially riveting is the story of the father and son. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/03/24 Full Review Audience Member "Young Lion of the West" is an absolute masterpiece that deserves every bit of its five-star rating. Set against the backdrop of Rochester, the film beautifully captures the essence of this charming city, making it even more special for me as it's my hometown. The choice of Rochester as the filming location added an authentic touch to the story, enhancing the overall viewing experience.Despite working with a limited budget, the filmmakers managed to deliver a visually stunning and technically impressive film. The meticulous attention to detail and the hard work poured into every scene is evident and greatly appreciated.The cast's performances were nothing short of spectacular. Each actor truly embodied their character, bringing depth and authenticity to their roles. It was as if they lived and breathed their characters, making the story all the more compelling and relatable.The storyline is profound and resonant, offering a narrative that many can connect with on a personal level. The film's ability to delve into complex themes and present them in an accessible, engaging manner is commendable. "Young Lion of the West" is a triumph in filmmaking. Its remarkable storytelling, stellar performances, and the perfect use of Rochester as a setting make it a film that stands out and leaves a lasting impression. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a deeply moving and well-crafted cinematic experience. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/03/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Young Lion of the West

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Movie Info

Synopsis In the heart of Rochester, NY, pulses a vibrant nightlife scene, and at its center stands Nick Donato, a club promoter whose life is fueled by parties and a rebellious attitude. When a violent encounter with their criminal boss forces Nick and his best friend Raymond to start a secret venture--a rival club--it sets off a chain of events that ultimately unravels their ascent to the top. This gripping narrative intertwines themes of family, loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of destructive choices.
Director
Joshua VanBuskirk
Producer
Nick Alfieri, Joey Sasso, Joshua VanBuskirk, Lisa J. Freberg, Richard Thorpe Jr.
Screenwriter
Joey Sasso, Joshua VanBuskirk, Joey Sasso, Joshua VanBuskirk
Distributor
Buffalo 8
Production Co
One Good Man Productions
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 19, 2024
Runtime
1h 33m
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