Young@Heart (2008)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Daniel P

  
  A touching documentary about the unlikeliest of American institutions, a chorus group from New England made up of seniors that performs an annual show, sometimes in Europe, despite the fact that many members are knocking at death's door. What's more, the film is punctuated… More
  A touching documentary about the unlikeliest of American institutions, a chorus group from New England made up of seniors that performs an annual show, sometimes in Europe, despite the fact that many members are knocking at death's door. What's more, the film is punctuated by a few "music video" interludes that showcase some telling tracks, particularly "I Wanna Be Sedated" by the Ramones, David Bowie's "Golden Years" and disco classic "Stayin' Alive". It won't take long to warm up to this film as you watch it, and it's impossible to avoid being moved. "I'm just tired and bored with myself," (a line from Bruce Springsteen's "Dancin' in the Dark") sure sounds different coming from a group of 80-year-olds performing at a prison... and making the inmates cry! Young of Heart wedges a beautiful slice of.life between plenty of entertaining songs, and it makes for a film that's not to be missed.

• Wahida K

  
  You're Never Too Old To Rock.

• Mark H

  
  Documentary about a choir group from Northampton, Massachusetts, average age 80, that sing rock & roll tunes. Overly precious, even condescending, narration, mars the film. At times, feels a little like one of those "old people are cute" segments that often end… More
  Documentary about a choir group from Northampton, Massachusetts, average age 80, that sing rock & roll tunes. Overly precious, even condescending, narration, mars the film. At times, feels a little like one of those "old people are cute" segments that often end nighttime newscasts. However it's hard not to like this film, these people are wonderful and their heart shines through.

• Nate Z

  
  [COLOR=DarkRed][FONT=Arial]Old people and rock and roll seem like contradictory terms. It's easier to imagine a 70-something grandma listening to the soothing tunes of Lawrence Welk or the Andrews Sisters than the likes of Sonic Youth and The Clash. Young @ Heart is a documentary… More
  [COLOR=DarkRed][FONT=Arial]Old people and rock and roll seem like contradictory terms. It's easier to imagine a 70-something grandma listening to the soothing tunes of Lawrence Welk or the Andrews Sisters than the likes of Sonic Youth and The Clash. Young @ Heart is a documentary that follows a unique chorus made completely of senior citizens (the youngest member is 72) who travel the country singing contemporary rock songs. Now, bear witness to great-grandmothers rocking at a reasonable hour and partying on days where they take their meds. Once old people reach a certain aged age they fall into the same category as children, and by that I mean you can position them to do anything out of the ordinary and it suddenly becomes adorable. Seeing a baby wear a top hat? Cute. Seeing an old person dance to a modern rock song? Cute. I don't make the rules, folks, but the end of life and the beginning of life have much in common, which includes the universal appeal of young and old doing things unlikely for their age. So, yes, Young @ Heart has a steady supply of adorable moments, especially as you watch how joyous many of the members are when they practice. Many members of the chorus have severe medical ailments and profess that participating and singing has medicinal benefits. They feel young and energized, and sometimes the members will defy doctor's orders to attend. It is clear how much singing can mean to these people, and watching them come alive is undeniably heartwarming, but it's downright moving when the Young at Heart chorus branch out. They perform at a prison and literally bring incarcerated prisoners to tears. I'll admit that I was fighting back tears myself during the stirring performance of Coldplay's "Fix You," which is given a somewhat profound new meaning. The lyrics, "Lights will guide you home," and "When you lose someone you can't replace," are given more relevance when sung by octogenarians who have all experienced recent loss amongst their ranks. With such a naturally intriguing premise, it's a shame then that director Stephen Walker doesn't do more with the material. In many ways, Young @ Heart is a rather ordinary documentary that forgoes several opportunities to dig deeper. The interviews are rather basic and rarely penetrating, and the narrative structure of practicing for the big show means that the concluding fifteen minutes will be locked into being the performance. Walker narrates the movie and often inserts himself into the film because it seems like he wants to be part of the fun. Documentaries can succeed from objective and subjective point of views, but I get frustrated when people like Walker don't want to merely tell the story but piggyback so they are part of the story. It smacks me of narcissism. I think there was a stronger dramatic dynamic with Young @ Heart than what Walker captures, and I think he misses this because he had lowered ambitions for the film simply to document the seven-week period of practice. Every now and then you'll discover a moment that points to what Young @ Heart had the potential to become, but Walker's intention is more along the lines at gushing at what geezers can do. I get that Walker feels affection for his subjects but couldn't he have gone further than the old-people-sing-young-people-songs gimmick? Some times the film feels like it has as much depth as a prototypical behind-the-scenes featurette on a DVD. Walker evenly divides the film between performances and interviews and he also doesn't overdose on the pathos even after deaths hit the Young at Heart clan. The movie has several music videos where the old folks sing to songs like "Golden Years," "I Wanna Be Sedated," and "Stayin' Alive." As you can see, each song is given something of a twist. However, the music videos come across as cheesy and unnecessary since seeing the performers live would be more interesting and real. Including several music videos, of songs that we never see the chorus practice no less, seems like wasted time that could have been spent getting to know our cast of characters better. I'd rather better know them as people than laugh and giggle at them performing The Bee Gees at a bowling alley. There are some chorus members that separate from the pack like 92-year-old Eileen Hall who used to be a burlesque dancer many moons ago. She's the oldest in the film and yet in many ways has the most indomitable spirit, frequently cracking jokes and making suggestive statements that Walker deems to be "flirting." Fred Knittle is a man who was told he'd have two years to live after suffering his latest heart attack. By the time he rejoins the chorus he's at two years and four months and running. He ably steps into the solo spot to sing "Fix You" after the original singer passes away. The moment is so pure and emotional that it reminds you about the power of music in a non-saccharine way. One of the more interesting figures in the film is Bob Cilman, the music director of the Young at Heart chorus. Here is a man in his 50s teaching contemporary rock songs to the elderly, and yet the film never explores this man and his infinite patience. What are his reasons for doing the Young at Heart chorus? What does he think about his own life's purpose? The movie would have strongly benefited by spending more time exploring the life of this man and his unique mission. I want to know what makes him tick. My faults with the film do not fall upon the subjects. This batch of senior citizen rockers is a delightful group and watching them perform can be entertaining and occasionally inspiring. However, I cannot fully recommend it because its scope and interests are far too narrow given the subject matter. Director Walker would rather treat his senior subjects like they were posing for a calendar in adorable poses, and I'm glad he has such warm affection for these lively octogenarians. But his affection clouds his filmmaking judgment and Walker ignores plenty of palpable drama. The concluding concert will certainly produce smiles and some toe tapping, but this drama could have been so much more. I can honestly say that, beyond the communal experience, there is no reason to catch this movie in a theater. It will play the same on your TV screen. If only Walker had listened a little harder to his older subjects then maybe he would have realized that true wisdom does not come merely from a cute gimmick. Nate's Grade: C+[/FONT][/COLOR]

• Mark A

  
  A group of senior citizens who sing rock and roll music to the delight of audiences around the world are captured in this terrific documentary. The film follows the group through rehearsals for an upcoming show, and grants us access to their personal lives. Inspiring, touching, and… More
  A group of senior citizens who sing rock and roll music to the delight of audiences around the world are captured in this terrific documentary. The film follows the group through rehearsals for an upcoming show, and grants us access to their personal lives. Inspiring, touching, and downright excellent musicianship make this film a delight. Loved the choice of music, as it all had a hidden meaning, given the performers. A lot of tongue in cheekiness and a gentle reminder of the importance of enjoying life to the full while the body still has breath.

• Chihoe H

  
  This poignant documentary made me truly feel young @ heart. The buildup to the chorus' big night is well chronicled, and has its fair share of ups and downs. Despite setbacks and devastating news, the spirited, determined folks push through and achieve in moving, inspiring and… More
  This poignant documentary made me truly feel young @ heart. The buildup to the chorus' big night is well chronicled, and has its fair share of ups and downs. Despite setbacks and devastating news, the spirited, determined folks push through and achieve in moving, inspiring and entertaining the live and screen audiences. I had the urge to spontaneously stand up and move along to their unexpected pick of songs, was laughing aloud at their witty jokes, had tears well up in my eyes multiple times, was reminded of the elders in my life; just a potful mix of emotions. A must watch if you can, otherwise YouTube their cool videos.

• Lesley N

  
  Sweet, optimistic , and sobering too, when the choir's main problem is stagiing a concert when they don't know who will still be alive to sing in it.

• Cinema F

  
  Under the command of musical director Bob Chilman, the Young At Heart Chorus is a chorus group of senior citizens with an average age of 81(!), who perform songs from a diverse repertoire ranging from James Brown to The Clash. As we watch the Young At Heart rehearse for their… More
  Under the command of musical director Bob Chilman, the Young At Heart Chorus is a chorus group of senior citizens with an average age of 81(!), who perform songs from a diverse repertoire ranging from James Brown to The Clash. As we watch the Young At Heart rehearse for their latest show over the course of seven-weeks, the struggle against ailments is a bigger battle than learning how to perform Sonic Youth's 'Schizophrenia.' This documentary flick reads to me as an ad for metamucil, vitamins xyz supplements, and heart combining food diets rolled into one. Still, they are highly watchable old folks (some grumpy) who are colourful, quirky and determined. Chilman does a wonderful job with the chorus and it is amazing to see the transformation of the songs which often take on new meaning considering the physical fragility of the performers. The doco is perhaps in favour of inspirational rather than pitiful. The flick is a celebration of those who are tenacious and young at heart individuals.

• Andrew F

  
  Watching a man who has just been released from the hospital sing Coldplay's "Fix You" sets the tone for the whole film: heartbreaking, emotional, and, at times hilarious. Seriously one of the best movies of the year.

• Philip P

  
  This was such a great film, im not usually big on documentaries, but there are always exceptions and this was just great. From the opening number you are hooked-wondering what is going on-and how this choir came to be and why these elderly people would want to do something like this.… More
  This was such a great film, im not usually big on documentaries, but there are always exceptions and this was just great. From the opening number you are hooked-wondering what is going on-and how this choir came to be and why these elderly people would want to do something like this. It is a great idea, and you learn a lot about older people that you might not see with regular visits to your grandparents. It is funny, and at times, extremely sad-it is entertaining and uplifting-it makes you believe that getting old isnt all that awful, but instead something to look forward too. It doesnt mean the end of opportunity-it just means the chance to do something new and possibly something you never have considered in your prime. Great film.

• Ryan C

  
  One of the most adorable films I have seen in a while. This documentary is about a senior citizen chorus group who sing classic rock n roll songs, and set the example that your never too old to give up on the joys of life. I do admit that I cried while watching this kinda corny film,… More
  One of the most adorable films I have seen in a while. This documentary is about a senior citizen chorus group who sing classic rock n roll songs, and set the example that your never too old to give up on the joys of life. I do admit that I cried while watching this kinda corny film, but if you have a heart, its hard to resist. <br/>In Theaters (Hillcrest Cinemas)

• William G

  
  Most winning when the director isn't instructing viewers on how to feel about these people and the triumph and tragedy in their lives.

• Jared H

  
  If you don't love this movie, then you have no @Heart. I couldn't hold it together when the guy sang "Fix You."

• Andrew P

  
  It is very rare for me to enjoy documentaires to a point where I reccomend, rant and rave about the film weeks after seing it. Young at Heart did this to me. Its a film which I think I connected with more emotionally rather than the sheer quality of it. There is something quite… More
  It is very rare for me to enjoy documentaires to a point where I reccomend, rant and rave about the film weeks after seing it. Young at Heart did this to me. Its a film which I think I connected with more emotionally rather than the sheer quality of it. There is something quite touching about watching OAPs have fun on screen, much like Sigor Ros' Hippopolla music video, it makes you smile and feel warm inside throught the entire running time, along with tears on the way.

• Marion R

  
  A bit slow. Wasn't really a fan at the type of music in the film, it was okay.

• matt s

  
  Gotta love grandpa and grandma rehearsing Sonic Youth and The Clash. A solid documentary, even though it does pull at the heart-strings a bit too much - but then again, the subject matter is OLD PEOPLE.

• Linda K

  
  This enjoyable and inspiring documentary can make the viewers smile and cry, but one thing that the YOUNG AT HEART choir gives is hope to all younger people who are afraid about the idea of aging. Another important element is the music. The maestro of the choir did a fantastic work… More
  This enjoyable and inspiring documentary can make the viewers smile and cry, but one thing that the YOUNG AT HEART choir gives is hope to all younger people who are afraid about the idea of aging. Another important element is the music. The maestro of the choir did a fantastic work in keeping the elders focus in the music which do not correspond to their generation. From Sonic Youth to James Brown, they all give their best in each and every songs. Get your kleenex when they get to Coldplay's FIX YOU! Overall, this documentary is really charming, plus it gives us youngsters a positive side of getting old.

• Wu C

  
  A funny and touching doc about a senior citizens chorus in England. The subjects are so lovable that I felt chills up my spine from emotions.

• Richard F

  
  I thought this was a bit slow to get going, and my first impressions were that of gimmick and exploitation. Despite a slight overuse of material intended to get the audience laughing "at" the characters, I found myself laughing "with" the characters after… More
  I thought this was a bit slow to get going, and my first impressions were that of gimmick and exploitation. Despite a slight overuse of material intended to get the audience laughing "at" the characters, I found myself laughing "with" the characters after witnessing their spunk, charisma, and charm. As the film progresses, we get some very touching moments and scenes that are executed brilliantly. The scene where the "Young at Heart" chorus performed at the prison really won me over for this movie. These scenes coupled with a fascinating and admirable study of the relationship between the music director, Bob Cilman, and his cohorts made for a worthy documentary.

• Lizzy B

  
  This was such an adorable movie I had to watch it twice. I think this movie is a great date movie for young and old couples (made my dad hug my mom after watching it) and it has a really great message. Life is only gonna be as fun as you make it... so live while you have the… More
  This was such an adorable movie I had to watch it twice. I think this movie is a great date movie for young and old couples (made my dad hug my mom after watching it) and it has a really great message. Life is only gonna be as fun as you make it... so live while you have the strength to.

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