Young@Heart
Review
by Sean Lynch
If there is
one thing there isn't enough of these days in cinemas, it's old people
singing and Seth Rogen... well, obviously, there is more than
enough of Seth Rogen to go around.
But as for old people - they are nowhere to be seen!
Sure, you can turn on Dancing With The Stars or It Takes Two any
night of the week and see some aging crooner throw away their self
respect in the limp hope of regaining past glories - but it's pretty
rare to see some really old folk giving it their all.
Thankfully, Young@Heart gives us a chance to experience such an event in all it's big screen and surround sound glory. And what a sight it is!
Prepare
to be entertained by the inspiring individuals of the Young@Heart
Chorus, a motley crew of New England senior citizens (no one is under
the age of 75) that have become something of a worldwide phenomenon
thanks largely to YouTube.
Singing everything from The Clash to Coldplay,
this stunning documentary follows the larger than life gang as they
delight audiences across the globe with their unique take on pop
classics.
Stephen Walker's excellent documentary begins as a
rather light hearted look at this decidedly quirky musical group. It's
the sort of "out-there" Americana that Walker's fellow BBC cohort,
Louis Theroux, used to exploit to comedic perfection a few years ago.
And
for the first two thirds of the film, you really have to wonder where
Walker will draw the line between tongue-in-cheek and out-and-out piss
take.
However, as we slowly become part of their world, watching
the retirees (led by their strict musical director... who you have to
question the motives of - does he do it for love, money or cheap
labour?) rehearsing for their new show - a real sense of ownership
washes over you.
Anyone who has ever been lucky enough to spend
some valuable time with your own Grandparents will immediately feel
some connection to at least one Chorus member (it's astonishing how old
people seem to look and act the same once they hit a certain age),
which makes seeing them struggle getting a handle on a euphoric Sonic
Youth track or James Brown's I Feel Good even more endearing.
But,
as this is a documentary - and it is real life - things don't always go
to plan. And it's when the real-life human drama kicks in that Young@Heart becomes something more than just another fluffy and enjoyable look at some left-of-centre Americans.
Unexpectedly
moving (you really do fall in love with the cast, especially the flirty
Norma Landry and the comical Fred Knittle) yet heroically upbeat, Young@Heart
is a true testament to the simple things these seniors - and, in fact,
all of us - value : friendship, new challenges... and a little time in
the spotlight.
A thoroughly enjoyable film with a superb
soundtrack (you'll find yourself singing along at certain points
without even realising it) that is well worth tracking down a screening
of, as it's one of the most worthwhile cinema experiences I've had in a
long time.
It just goes to prove that it doesn't take $180
Million worth of CGI to make you leave a theatre with your heart and
mind that little bit more enriched.
4.5 out
of 5
Young@Heart
Australian release: 16th October,
2008
Official
Site: Young@Heart
Cast: The Young@Heart Chorus, Bob Cilman
Director: Stephen Walker
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