Young@Heart
by Sally George, Stephen Walker
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Elaine Fligman, Helen Boston, Jean Florio, Joe Benoit, Louise CanadyDirector: Sally George, Stephen Walker
Brand: Fox
Cinematographer: Ed Marritz
Producer: Sally George
Editor: Chris King
Producer: Hannah Beckerman
Producer: Jane Villiers
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language); Spanish (Dubbed)
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 107 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-09-16
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Movie Reviews of Young@Heart
Movie Review: oh, how the show must go on !!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Young@Heart tells the fantastic story of a group of chorus people--whose average age is 80--practicing for a one night concert in Northampton, Massachusetts. This documentary could be referred to as "schmaltzy;" but I for one found it to be riveting and charming. It held my attention every step of the way. Young@Heart is a film to be savored; this is not something you watch quickly and then discard. It tackles many more issues that just the preparations for a concert--that's just on the surface. We see the chorus group deal with the passing away of two of their members in the week before the concert; and how they insist on pressing on with the show despite their grief. These people may not be professionals; but their professional attitude more than makes up for it. When the theater is sold out--and you see them in concert--you'll know exactly why they were such a smash hit.
We quickly meet members of the chorus and their younger leader (or, "taskmaster,") Bob Cilman. The personalities are fascinating to see and this documentary offers great insights as to what makes these people tick. In general, we see a great devotion to the group effort to put on a fine show no matter what. Indeed, even hospitalized seniors and other people receiving large blood transfusions don't even question or doubt that they will remain with the chorus for their concert. This type of devotion to the group effort is both touching and impressive. For example, we see Fred Knittle, who relies on oxygen and leads a fairly good life beyond the limits of what his doctors told him he would live, do an outstanding job singing a song dedicated to a group member who had recently passed away; and when they first hear James Brown's "I Feel Good" chorus member Dora B. Morrow positively flips out with enthusiasm about doing this song in concert!
Equally impressive is their ability and desire to learn songs that are way out of their "normal" range of musical tastes. Many of the group members prefer classical and opera; but when presented by Bob Cilman with "Schizophrenia" by Sonic Youth and "Purple Haze" by Jimi Hendrix they don't hesitate to go along with the flow--and they actually do a very good job of learning these songs! They learn Joan Baez's "Forever Young" and they even perform a concert at a local jail that touches many of the inmates.
Young@Heart has also done a European tour and when this was filmed they were actually planning another (albeit somewhat tentative) European tour. Excellent!
The DVD has wonderful bonus features: we get two music videos that they perform with panache; and there's some excellent footage of their concert out in Hollywood, California which prompted one chorus woman to remark, "I feel just like Marilyn Monroe!" There are other extras, too.
Young@Heart gives us a terrific look at just how rich and rewarding life can be in "the golden years." I highly recommend this inspiring documentary for people of all ages; if they went over as a sell out in Massachusetts they'll be sure to please you as well! The footage of them practicing for the big concert is absolutely amazing. You'll never be afraid to grow old after you watch this!
Summary of Young@Heart
Get ready to rock out with the most entertaining "golden oldies" you will ever meet, a fun-loving senior citizen?s choir called Young@Heart. To prepare for a show in their hometown that is only weeks away, the lovable seniors must learn a slate of new songs, ranging from James Brown to Coldplay. The chorus? tireless musical director leads the group through a series of hilariously chaotic rehearsals, proving that hard rock can be hard work ? especially when you?re hard of hearing! Climaxing in a triumphant performance that will leave you cheering, their inspiring story celebrates the unbreakable bonds of friendship and the life-affirming power of music!The questions start as soon as you know that Young@Heart is about a group of singing senior citizens as they prepare for and then perform a concert with a repertoire consisting of songs by the likes of Coldplay, Sonic Youth, and James Brown. Can this premise, basically a novelty, sustain itself for nearly two hours? Will the director give in to the temptation to make it schmaltzy and sentimental? Will we be laughing at these oldsters, or with them? The answers: yes, no, and a little of both. Directed by British filmmaker Stephen Walker, the 2007 film takes place primarily in Northampton, MA, home to the Young@Heart chorus, whose average age is 80. Most readily admit to preferring classical and musicals to the pop and rock given to them by music director Bob Cilman, and some of the tunes--Sonic Youth?s "Schizophrenia," Allen Toussaint?s "Yes We Can Can" (once a hit for the Pointer Sisters), and Brown?s "I Got You (I Feel Good)"--prove especially vexing. But the singers? good natures and determination to master the material over some six weeks of rehearsals carry the day. Most of all, while they thoroughly enjoy themselves, it?s no joke to them, and thus not to us, either. Of course, folks this age are bound to have health issues; indeed, the specter of death hangs over the scene like a banshee, occasionally making itself right at home. But the chorus members? insistence on carrying on in the wake of tragedy makes for a climactic concert that?s moving and powerful--Fred Knittle, who had withdrawn from the group due to heart issues but whose beautiful bass voice remains intact, returns for this one show to deliver a version of Coldplay?s "Fix You" that will bring a tear to the eye of the most flint-hearted cynic. Mixed in along the way are the group?s "videos" of songs like the Ramones? "I Wanna Be Sedated" and David Bowie?s "Golden Years"; bonus features include deleted scenes and a brief featurette about Young@Heart?s gig in Los Angeles. --Sam Graham
Beyond Young @ Heart on DVD
 The Visitor on DVD |  Once on DVD |  Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day on DVD |
Stills from Young @ Heart (Click for larger image)
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