Stephen Walker, Young@Heart

Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Timothy White/Fox Searchlight Pictures

by Ashley Owen
04/14/2008

Never have the lyrics of The Bee Gee’s “Stayin’ Alive” rang so true as when the members of Young@Heart sang them. Young@Heart is a choir based out of Northampton, Mass. The average age of the members is 80 years old. The group covers songs from groups such as The Clash and The Ramones. This film is their story.

The members of the group are not the best singers in the world. Notes are sometimes missed, lyrics are occasionally forgotten, and voices almost always waver. But watching this particular group perform, none of that seems to matter. Though they may not be the most gifted, they are certainly the most spirited. For them, singing is all about having fun.

They are directed by Bob Cilman, who, at 53 years old, is by far the youngest person involved with the choir. While he is sometimes firm with the members, it is obvious just how much he cares about each and every one of them.

Young@Heart is directed and narrated by Stephen Walker. The narration at times seems a bit intrusive, but this is easily made up for when the focus is shifted back to the choir members. The movie covers a two-month period in which the group rehearses new music, including Sonic Youth’s “Schizophrenia,” James Brown’s “I Feel Good,” and Allen Toussaint’s “Yes We Can Can,” which repeats the word “can” a memory-challenging 71 times.

Inserted into the documentary are four obviously low-budget, but highly entertaining music videos of songs such as The Ramones’ “I Wanna Be Sedated” and The Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive.”

The most endearing moments, however, are the home visits with various choir members. It becomes clear through these that growing old does not have to have anything to do with growing feeble. The members of Young@Heart have an irresistible zest for life, and they are truly inspiring.

However, that does not entirely prove that one is only as old as one feels. When dealing with a group of all over-70s, health crises are bound to come into play, and mortality intrudes on more than one occasion.

The most moving moment comes during the final performance, when former member Fred Knittle returns to sing Coldplay’s “Fix You” in memory of two choir members who both passed away within one week. His performance is so touching as to almost be painful.

Young@Heart is a highly enjoyable film that shows just how inspiring music can be and how easily music can close generational gaps. It runs 1 hour, 48 minutes and is rated PG for mild language and thematic elements.

Technorati Tags

Young@heart Musical Choirs Stephen Walker Cinema Documentary Review

Comments [post a comment]

more film

more from ashley owen