Seniors In The USA

Young@Heart

Description

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on carrying on in the wake of tragedy makes for a climactic concert that’s moving and powerful--Fred Knittle, who had withdrawn from the group due to heart issues but whose beautiful bass voice remains intact, returns for this one show to deliver a version of Coldplay’s "Fix You" that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)

Reviews

Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-03-03
Summary: "Must see"

This is a very uplifting documentary and a must see for full range of emotions. Well done and shows amazing talents of seniors who most would disregard. The music is fantastic and some with such difficulty that I have not seen it performed by any choir other than this one. Fantastic!

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Rating: 4 / 5
Date: 2010-02-28
Summary: "Uplifting"

After watching this video with my family on PBS, we had to order a copy. It is heartwarming, inspirational, and funny. It helped us realize that the golden years can be fun as long as you have a good attutude and you stay involved in something that gives meaning to your life.

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Rating: 3 / 5
Date: 2010-02-22
Summary: "Young @Heart"

This was so very inspiring. I will share it with the Sr. Citizen home where a friend is living. Great

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-02-22
Summary: "Delightful film for ages 5 to 105"

Saw the 2-hour film twice on PBS TV. Glad that Amazon had it in stock. The extras on the DVD are added delights.

Documentary about some 30 oldsters (average age 81) who rock musically, despite their inevitable physical declines. The smiles, music, and general high spirits more than compensate for the moments of sadness. The group also has toured in USA and Europe. Here we see them in rehearsals, and in SRO performances at a local theater and a county jail.

Extra benefits if, like me, the viewer is older than 75; and still recognizes autumn scenery and the semi-rural places and streets/buildings around Northampton, MA. The British (?) director and film crew capture the people and places elegantly through fresh eyes. Five stars!!

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-02-17
Summary: "High Emotion"

My father sang in the church choir until his death at age 89. This program recalls the memories of aged individuals continue to love the participation of special groups as the choir. Reflections and memories are created in this program and the strong emotions brings one to tears in more than one part of this program. Seasoned citizens set goals and examples for the young. Must watch.