Good Views: Young@Heart
Posted November 19, 2009
As a passionate moviegoer and movie blog critic, Regions associate Bret Pippen shares his take on good films.
THERE ARE FEW films that do an excellent job at blending poignancy with inspiration. One that combines both well is the documentary Young@Heart.
This 2007 documentary tells the true story of a choir in Northampton, Massachusetts, that will inspire even the most hardened of hearts. This is not just any choir, but is a choir with members whose average age is 80. Now, you would think that a choir this mature would stick with the old classics – Sinatra, Torme, Lee, etc. And, true, that’s exactly what they did for years. However, not too long ago, they made the switch to singing more contemporary works. Led by choir director, Bob Cilman, the choir now sings the works of Coldplay, Sonic Youth, The Clash, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, and others. This move to more contemporary fare has brought even more energy to a group that was lively already. This documentary was a sensation on the film festival circuit if for no other reason than it shows that as you get older there is no reason to retire to the rocking chair. The Young@Heart choir members work hard. Work through pain. Work through sorrow. And are having the times of their lives.
If I had to offer a particular criticism of the documentary, it’s the extensive use of music videos. They tend to break the flow of the film. A clear high point of the documentary is when the choir sings a special concert at a prison. The concert will have you cheering through tears. Other highlights include being introduced to choir members like 92-year-old Elaine Fligman whose rendition of The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go” is fantastic. Likewise, at a concert later in the film, Fred Knittle takes the stage accompanied only by his oxygen tank and a single spotlight. As the tank keeps time, he sings Coldplay’s “Fix You” as a tribute to his friend, who died during the filming of the documentary.
This documentary is available on DVD and is well worth your time if for no other reason than it shows that retirement age doesn’t mean you have to retire.
comments (3)
Hopefully we can all reach this level of happiness when we are older.
MelissaLife is too short not to be happy!
Jessica ManningAmazing!
sharon johnson