Humbersi The first must-see film of the year.

Ava-Grace Willis Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

Candida It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

Francene Odetta It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

SnoopyStyle It's the last weeks of practice before the Young@Heart chorus has its big show. The group comprises of elderly retirees in Northampton, Massachusetts led by Bob Cilman. In 1982, he started the group for the old folks in retirement community to sing vaudeville songs. The group eventually started to sing more modern songs and now sings a wide selection of edgier work around the world. They are trying to learn new songs for the performance but life of the elderly group is not always so forgiving.The part after the introduction is generally scattered as the filmmaker interviews various seniors. Initially, it's not as deep as one may expected. There are some sex adjacent talk. Then Bob Cilman has a heart-attack. In a fictional movie, Bob would battle death and end up doing the show. That's what it looked like in the hospital as Bob focused on the concert poster. Even if he can't say a word, one can sense his determination. Then, reality intervenes and Bob dies. That is the movie's biggest gift and central point. Nobody gets out of here alive. When Joe Benoit dies next, it's as if real life wanted to make sure the point isn't lost. These men and women all understand mortality in a real unwritten way. There are powerful emotions and determination at work here.

billcr12 Wow; a documentary that is never boring. Directed masterfully by Stephen Walker, Young @ Heart is almost two hours, but I could have watched much more without losing interest. Many filmmakers don't edit enough out of their work, but Walker uses his camera perfectly and keeps things moving.Twenty two senior citizens, averaging eighty years of age, are encouraged to sing in a chorus run by the demanding Bob Cilman. He is the Vince Lombardi of choir masters. We follow their progress for two months as they practice material ranging from James Brown to Sonic Youth to Cold Play. During that period, two of the members die, but the show must go on, and does it ever. The personal life experiences of the residents are compelling and when they are at a prison, the inmates are so overcome with emotion that they embrace the choir. By the time the finale rolls around, with a performance of Cold Play's Miss You, by a severely handicapped man, your heart will be ripped out of your chest; it is that powerful. I cannot praise Young @ Heart highly enough and I hope to see more good things from Stephen Walker.

atcsim I had seen this advertised in the local theater and then I caught the second half of it on HBO. So, I ordered it on Netflix and took it with me to my Mom's house on Christmas day. We watched it and were thrilled with it. It will make you laugh and cry alternatively. My 12 year old daughter cried and laughed along with us while we watched people in their 70's-90's get up over and over again and try no matter how many time they failed before. It is so nice to see seniors in a whole different light. You won't regret watching it. I am going to purchase it so I can watch it again. The scene at the local prison is incredibly touching. But, then again, all of it is incredibly touching. These are people who could just be relaxing and doing nothing, but they are choosing to go out of their comfort zones to still live life to its fullest. Wonderful.

george.schmidt YOUNG AT HEART (2008) **** Rock of ages In Stephen Walker's documentary –or should I say 'rockumentary' – the Young at Heart Chorus, a group of senior citizens who sing rock and roll songs, based in Northhampton, MA, is profiled with breadth and levity showcasing their individual talents as well as performing as an ensemble, as well as their ailments and the living testimony that it is never too late to rock 'n' roll.Founded by Bob Cilman, a fifty something year old 'kid', originally as a choir specializing in old pop standards, Broadway show tunes and 'old folk' music he came up with the idea over 25 years ago to incorporate classic and contemporary rock staples which became something of a gimmick at first but fully realized as something more: underscoring many of the lyrics with a unique perspective and interpretation by his octogenarian sect (the media age of 80).Since then the group has barnstormed all over the country – and the world – and getting much acclaim. Walker films the several weeks of rehearsal for a new gig and Cilman's tough task-master skills at display in attempting to get his singers to hit the right notes, pick up the right beat cues and most importantly now the song cold. While there are some frustrations felt by Cilman for the most part he is fair and allows his group the time and effort to develop into a finely tuned body that is surprising in the process not only how they are attuned but also how they function. What is unexpected is the melancholy feel throughout as some of the members fall into bad health situations (sadly two of its key singers pass away before their fated concert the film focuses on) but it is also with plenty of humor, insight of what it means to be elderly but not 'old' and how in the autumn of one's life one can appreciate a new calling (i.e. many of the choir prefer classical music than the genre they are covering).The true highlights are the short videos interspersed through out the doc including "Stayin' Alive", "I Wanna Be Sedated" and a clever "On the Road To Nowhere", as well as a performance at a state prison to a captive audience. I was overwhelmed by the professionalism the troupe displayed as 'amateurs' in the old adage "the show must go on" and the true emotional peak is member Fred Knittle's heart- wrenching work on Coldplay's "Fix You" as a suitable eulogy to his fallen comrades; if you don't cry then you are simply made of stone.I whole-heartedly recommend you to seek this indie doc out and experience rock and roll in its purest form I've seen in a long time: aged yet wise, like a fine wine. One of the year's best.