As the United States celebrated 250 years of independence, everyone it seemed was feeling patriotic. That included the movies, which chose to feature a wide release on July 4 weekend focused on the first President of the United States, George Washington. But this isn’t the story you’re probably expecting.

We pick up in July 1755 as Washington—wearing the Crimson of the British Army—is serving as a young aide to a General in the French and Indian War. It’s taking place in the vast Ohio Territory, a part of the new world. And George Washington (William Franklyn-Miller) is determined to get to his friends and fellow Virginians, despite the long odds. It’s then that a British officer asks what could make it worth this threat to his life to find other Virginians.

Young Washington then spins back 12 years and shows us George Washington’s journey. We pick up with his father dead, and a very young George (Will Joseph) is frustrated. He wants to go to school. He wants to become a commissioned officer. But his mother (Mary Louise Parker) tells him it’s up to him to help manage the farm for his family.

George’s half-brother, Lawrence (John Foss) is an officer put in charge of the militia. He helps to teach George and to train him to be ready for the world. He becomes George’s biggest advocate, so that by the time Lord Fairfax (Kelsey Grammar) commissions him to survey the Ohio territory, he’s ready. There, he spots the French, who have built a fort on lands claimed by the British.

George brings a report back to Virginia’s governor (Ben Kingsley), and soon is dispatched to help drive the French out. But it doesn’t go as planned, leaving George to consider what his role and his gifts are truly meant to help him achieve.

It probably doesn’t sound incredibly American to watch a film where the British and French are fighting over future American soil, all while using and abusing Native Americans. This isn’t a truly American epic in the same way things like The Patriot are. And yet, it does end in a way that feels true to the American spirit, and to filling in the story of someone essential to the founding of the nation.

There are some solid performances. Grammar, Kingsley, Parker, and Andy Serkis all appear in supporting roles. But this comes down to Franklyn-Miller, who carries a bulk of the narrative. He does a solid job in the lead role and helps create an engaging lead character.

The film comes from director Jon Erwin, who has delivered other faith-based films and biopics such as I Still Believe, I Can Only Imagine, and the Kurt Warner film American Underdog. The film moves at a decent pace and the battle sequences, of which there are many, work well enough. It’s a decent watch that will likely entertain and inspire many looking for a dose of Americana this holiday season.

Young Washington is now playing nationwide.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.