Young @ Heart (2008)

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Absolutely Fantastic

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

*Spoiler/plot- 2007, A 80's+ year old group of diverse women and men work and sing in a traveling performance group run by a music master. You see their day-to-day lives in this public endeavor and get to know each member.*Special Stars- Joe Beniot, Elaine Fligman, Eileen Hall, Bob Salvini, and MORE.*Theme- You're only as old as you wish to be.*Based on- Senior citizen Center singing groups *Trivia/location/goofs- Documentary shot in New England.*Emotion- A somewhat unforgettable and charming film covering a extreme age group of retirees that sing in a unique choral group. They sing new hip, rock, and punk songs. And you experience their hard work, triumphs and sometimes the deaths of their singing mates. But, never fear; this film is really an upbeat and up-tempo celebration of life from those people who still have accomplished what they want to do for fun, entertaining others with a lively song and energetic stage performance. This is a tonic for your day's problems and should be seen by anyone with parents of this age range. Don't miss this film!

In the supreme story of elderly people who won't let their age get them down, a group of senior citizens in a Massachusetts retirement home form a chorus and perform popular music from the twentieth century. "Young at Heart" is occasionally bittersweet, as some of the members pass away over the course of the documentary. But these men and women, getting on in years, not only do a great job singing Jimi Hendrix and The Clash (among others); they have some really neat things to say about their experiences over the years.Probably the most awe-inspiring thing that occurs is that the chorus performs in a prison. You have these elderly individuals who look as though they would be afraid to go near the wrong people for fear of getting mugged, but they sing to the inmates and nothing bad happens.All in all, Stephen Walker made a really good documentary here. I recommend it.BTW, did you notice that one of the chorus members was named Steve Martin?

A "feel good" documentary movie, all right, that probably will "work" for a lot of people (but, as ever the case, not everyone -- it may help to have a few years on one, at the time of viewing -- otherwise, it's for the "more sensitive" types).Young at Heart helps us to feel good/better, about our fellow human beings.Young at Heart helps us to feel better about what our personal "old age" might be like -- it may not be as bad as we have tended to think it.Young at Heart, being a documentary, amplifies the "feel good effect", because we know that we not just feeling good because of a work of fiction.The music, also, greatly amplifies the "feel good effect" (maybe especially, because of the James Brown song that is performed within the film).One of the central delights is the seeming incongruity of these mature folks singing music that is from much more recent generations (and not even to their personal liking, as is found out in the viewing). Also, that there is so much energy in the music, and in the performances, from such a chorus.Further delights: The music is in fact embraceable, vivacious, well-done, and often meaningful. By this alone, the movie is enjoyable, and worth the price of admission.The "community spirit" that is shown -- generally positive attitudes, even in trying circumstances.We see a lot of "goodness" in people, and this can help our personal and communal spirits, in these times when "evil" seems to be getting the upper hand. The empathy that is engendered for people that are probably much older than (and thus "different" from) oneself.The somewhat multi-racial characteristic is enheartening.There is a message of "world peace" in one of the songs, and that seems more possible, after viewing the filmI learned more appreciation for the artistry of being a "music director" -- not just the quality of the selected music, but being able to tell what's going on at any given moment in relation to the performances. The chorus director seems "nearly saintly" (and is inspiring, in himself). (There is a scene where he is being interviewed at a little length, out-of-doors, and it's the "greenist" image that I think I've ever seen -- could be used by environmentalists.)The cinematography, editing, and interviews lend to a sense of appreciation for the film- makers.It seems to me that the "world could be a better place" (if only for a little while), if only more people could see this film.Overall, fairly memorable, quite positive, and very worthwhile.

I am not one for documentaries or nonfiction as they usually don't allow me to escape inside the film to get a release from the life I'm living. I generally enjoy fiction because of the fantastical and its ability to bring me into a world that I wouldn't otherwise enter. With that said, I can't tell you how surprised I was at how much I enjoyed this chorus of old folks that are truly Young@Heart. Straight from the get-go, this choral troupe inspires, entertains, and just lives life to the fullest. Acting as though they are still in their twenties—taking shots at each other, flirting, and singing their hearts out—the Young at Heart chorus shows its audience what it means to grow old and enjoy every minute of it. Credit filmmaker Stephen Walker for keeping a somewhat unobtrusive eye on the proceedings, infusing himself into the group, joining the family. He says how he has gained 24 or so more grandparents through the process and I would also say they all gained one more grandchild. The comfortability with their documentarian is 100%, allowing this film to inspire us all for the future and show how pure the heart can be.These elderly crooners are a blast to spend time with. When shown the new songs for an upcoming concert, all have a mixture of excitement and confusion. During the first run-through of Sonic Youth's "Schizophrenia" we see fingers going into ears, face-cringes, and what could be described as disgust. However, they all welcome a challenge and although they don't understand the song, nor have a clue at where it's going, they never give up. Credit music director Bob Cilman for having the patience and skill to mold these performers into an act of shear professionalism and entertainment. He knows his group and their abilities, placing certain solo responsibilities on some, duet partnerships on others, always knowing that they will give their all no matter what. At first you may think he is just a vessel for them to have fun, joking around and partaking in the laughs, but as the time gets closer and closer to the performance, Bob shows his taskmaster side. He wants the best show possible and is unafraid to let his singers know it, whether telling them what he needs or threatening to cut a song. The group never falters, though. They take the criticism and run with it. When challenged to come back after Easter with the words to Allen Toussaint's "Yes, We Can Can" fully learned, the Northampton, MA troupe show their mettle and eventually hit it out of the park.The music is fantastic for sure, I think I may purchase their disc from CDBaby.com before the night is over, but it is really the people involved that shine on screen. Every member is an integral cog to the system and just brimming with life and energy. From Steve "Sexy Beast" Martin and his exuberance, to consummate professional Joe Benoit and his ability to memorize a song in one afternoon, to his best friend and confident driver Len Fontaine, to the flirtatious 92-year-old Eileen Hall, there is no one you won't you love afterwards. Their bond is unbreakable and they all help each other through the good and the bad times. Just to see them dance and move when listening to a new song, performing their dance steps at a prison gig, and unabashedly showing their emotions when tragedy strikes helps show how real they all are. These guys aren't hamming it up for the camera, they truly know how to have fun and aren't afraid to show it.Despite only taking place during the course of a seven week rehearsal schedule, having a group of people averaging 80-years-old is ripe for life to rear its ugly head. All the good times—the reunions, the rejuvenation, the singing, dancing, and laughing—are countered by devastation. While the film's trailer shows an uproarious good time, and by God it is, don't be caught off-guard for the poignant moments of clarity and sadness. Unfortunately tragedy does strike, sometimes at the most inopportune moments, yet all march on for their fallen comrades, creating a touching portrait of humanity. These moments also bring some of the most powerful songs including a stirring rendition of Coldplay's "Fix You" by returning ex-member Fred Knittle with his Johnny Cash-like baritone.In the end, though, Young@Heart is really an uplifting tale of perseverance and life at its most simple and pleasurable. This is an internationally traveling chorus, touring Europe each year to complement their US dates. Never afraid to have fun, we are given some snippets of music video style shoots interspersed throughout the film. "Stayin' Alive" is fantastic and during the performance for "Golden Years" one can't help but laugh to the point of tears for Stan Goldman. Go see this film while you can and don't be surprised to see it winning a best documentary Oscar at next year's show. I heard the rumblings that this was becoming quite the phenomenon and now I can say first hand that it is more than that. Young@Heart is something we can all relate with and a film we should see to attain hope for the future and a template for how to live out our retirements, not sulking at home, but out enjoying all the things we did the years past. Maybe life really begins at age 70.