BlazeLime Strong and Moving!

AniInterview Sorry, this movie sucks

Nessieldwi Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

Cristal The movie really just wants to entertain people.

Roland E. Zwick Has there ever been a more thoroughly lovable documentary than Young@Heart? We doubt it, though it would be hard to go wrong when the subject is a choir made up of high-spirited septuagenarians, octogenarians and even a couple of nonagenarians who travel around the world, singing not - as one might logically expect - old standards, but rather modern rock and even punk-rock tunes to wildly-applauding sold-out audiences. Though most of the members of Young@Heart admit to preferring Brahms, Bach, and Rogers and Hammerstein to the likes of Coldplay, the Clash, and Sonic Youth, the enthusiasm and professionalism they bring to their work may belie that assertion somewhat. Plus, it's the dichotomy between the age of the singers and the modernism of the material that gives the group its very special - and salable - raison d'etre.In 2007, British director Stephen Walker went to Massachusetts to document the group's preparation for their latest tour. He shows us how these physically frail but emotionally indomitable old folk manage to forge on ahead, through all their aches and pains and life-threatening ailments, to produce something truly unique and beautiful in the entertainment world. They may not always hit the right note, but their spirits shine through in every number. Yet, Walker doesn't sentimentalize or patronize his subjects. He lets us get to know them as individuals through their histories and their stories. That goes for Bob Cilman, the group's then 53-year-old choir director, as well, a sometimes stern taskmaster with a full heart and an infinite capacity for patience. And an obvious love for his choir members.There's humor, inspiration and heartbreak embedded in virtually every frame of the film, with one scene, in particular - a performance by the group at a prison right after they've learned that one of their members has passed away - that is guaranteed to have you bawling like a baby. It's the rendition of "Forever Young" that tears at the heartstrings in that instance, and it is a haunting solo performance of "Nothing Compares 2 You," performed in honor of another member who dies immediately afterward, that produces the same effect just a few scenes later.But it's when they get on stage that the true magic happens - a symbiotic connection between the performers and their audience that is indeed a wonder to behold.Naturally, given the age of many of the choir's members, the movie ends on a bittersweet note, honoring those who didn't survive till the film's completion and release - most prominently, 93-year-old Eileen Hall, a prominent subject of the film who walks off with the movie and the audience's heart. The movie provides a fitting bit of immortality for this funny, big-hearted and life-affirming woman.All I can say is that if you ever need an instant pick-me-up or a renewal of your faith in humanity, Young@Heart is guaranteed to do the trick.

tunnelboy I didn't know what to expect when I read the label. Some elderly people singing the songs of Coldplay and Jimi Hendrix. OK, sounds like a fun movie. It was without a doubt the most moving movie I've seen as far as I could remember! And I was not at all prepared for that.It makes you stop and really think about life, and what you're doing with it and where it's heading for you.It's uplifting and sad at the same time. The prison scene did it for me. But if anyone reads these comments and are scared away by the words "sad" or "depressing", TRUST ME... you will not regret watching this.I also loved the "music videos". They really helped make this movie enjoyable to watch.My only negative reactions (with the reality, not the film)... and this is definitely a spoiler, was Bob's ego. Especially when playing in front of a live audience. I felt that he should have been either offstage or at least off to the side. I couldn't believe he had a mike and was singing in the front. He just didn't belong there out in front.

ccthemovieman-1 It may sound like it, but this is no cliché: this movie will make you laugh and cry. It's true.In a day with so much garbage being put out, this was a refreshing film to view - something true, too. It's a documentary about a group of old-timers (senior citizens, if you will) from Northampton, Mass., who tour and sing rock 'n roll. There is something absurd, outrageous, comical and entertaining about seeing an 89-year-old imitating James Brown and screaming, "I Feel Good!" What we witness in this two-hour documentary is both funny at times, but also sad. Hey, it's reality; life is hard, especially as you get older and older. Some of the members of this group die during the filming of it. The other men and women have to deal with these losses. "The show must on," as the old saying goes, but it's not easy.The group sings rock standards and stuff that is pretty recent. It's hardly just Brown, the Ramones, Beatles, Bee Gees or Stones songs. It's also these old folks performing Sonic Youth, Coldplay, The Clash and the like.Of all the members, one can't but be most impressed with the voice of Fred Knittle, who has to sit and sing while having an oxygen tank next to him. His voice is really, really good. Then there is 92-year-old and spunky Eileen Hall and then there six-time cancer patient Joe Benoit, probably the nicest man you'd ever meet. All the people here are interesting.The more I watched this, the more respect I had for Bob Cilman, who directs this group. That man must have tremendous patience and a big, big heart for older people. It's frustrating when members keep forgetting their lines time and time again, but Bob presses on. He's called a "taskmaster" a few times but the group has great respect for him.Director Steven Walker does a super job putting this film together, holding some shots and cutting others off just at the right spots so we get the full effect of the humor or drama of a particular situation. Your emotions will run the gamut watching this. The more sentimental you are, the more it will affect you.If you have a sense of humor and compassion for people, this is one of the few movies I guarantee you will like.

Ari Herzog Imagine sitting in a room with 30 other people and an average age of 75.Imagine you and your peers recently toured Europe, singing covers of rock songs to sold-out audiences.Now you're back in the rehearsal studio and you're listening to a song that your great-granddaughter may adore but to you is a mishmash of noise. You can't decipher the words, let alone the staccato of the drum beat.Your leader asks you to try to listen to it because later on he will ask you to sing it. You're not a quitter, having survived numerous heart bypass surgeries, and moreover the leader has faith in you, so you adjust your hearing aid and persevere.When you ultimately perform the song on a stage in a sold-out amphitheater, everyone applauds.You did it! *** When was the last time you clapped and chuckled at a group of octogenarians singing covers to Sonic Youth, David Bowie, the Ramones, and James Brown? If you were like me, then see this film!