The pace and directness of the film is immediately off-putting, while the sequencing leaves a bit to be desired. The ham-handed musical cue at Donna's introduction is frankly terrible, and Richard LaSalle's music generally often wavers on the point of tawdry exaggeration. Similarly, I can't decide if the work put into details like hair, makeup, and costume design is just right, or much too over the top. So it is with too many aspects, also including performances, slight visual effects, dialogue, scene writing, and direction: Is 'Naked youth,' also known as 'Wild youth,' too much? Too little? Just enough? Why, maybe it's all three, at one point or another; I can't really tell.
I like the concept, and the narrative is strong in the broad strokes. There are great possibilities here, including in the character writing. The chief cast looks the part; I can't determine if the uncertainty I feel about their acting owes more to a lack of skill or experience, or unfortunate guidance from director John F. Schreyer. Whatever the combination of factors that limited the film's success, the picture is less than riveting as a result - and a little sleep-inducing, if I'm being honest. Some scenes are done pretty well, including the climax, yet even at its best the lack of refinement in all elements dampens the impact.
There's just not much more to say; for better or for worse, the movie doesn't inspire loquacity. I don't think it's outright bad. I rather want to like it more than I do; as one may say of a ramshackle home, "it has good bones." But it's more than a little rough around the edges, and even a little more care in the writing and direction would have gone a long way. 'Naked youth' could have been a cut above similar fare of the 50s and 60s; instead it fits right in with its contemporaries, all but average in sum. It's a fair watch if you chance upon it, but temper your expectations if you do.
