Young@Heart review by MissMovieFan

Rated: PG

Directed by: Stephen Walker

Runtime: 1 hr 50 mins

Young @ Heart (which originally aired on BBC) is a documentary about a vocal group from Northampton, MA, who have earned an international reputation for their enthusiastic acappella renditions of well-known contemporary tunes. They are a group of about two dozen senior citizens (average age 81). You may have heard of the Young at Heart Chorus or seen clips of them on YouTube. They also recently appeared on the Ellen show.

Filmmaker, Stephen Walker, follows the chorus, under the direction of Bob Climan, for seven rigorous weeks as they prepare for their big show. Rehearsal and performance footage is woven toegther with the quirky music videos sparkling with humor and interviews with many of the chorus members (who explain how much the group means to them). I just loved the simple shots of a row of sensibly shoed feet tapping along to the beat. My only complaint about the film was the fact that Walker seemed to force himself into the movie by overkilling voiceover narration. Just as his interview subjects start to get interesting, he cuts away to his own observations. Had the chorus remained the sole focus of the documentary, it would have been 100% brilliant.

However, the charm of these performers overcomes whatever clumsiness the film crew throws at you. Climan is an absolute pleasure to watch as he enthusiastically drives the group to reach levels they otherwise would not achieve. The truly amazing thing is the range of song choices as the group dives into rock, punk, disco and more. The singers perform some very unique interpretations of songs by The Ramones, The Clash, Sonic Youth, Cold Play, David Bowie, James Brown and the BeeGees. These old folks doing "I wanna be sedated" is classic.



I absolutely fell in love with the two main stars of the chorus. Eileen Hall, age 92, is such a hoot! She opens the film belting out "Should I stay or should I go?" She embodies everything I aspire to be when I'm her age. Fred Knittle, age 81, is a gem. Suffering from breathing problems as well as congestive heart failure, he uses an oxygen tube. But his voice still rings out strong. During "Riders in the Sky" he hits the low notes with a mellow perfection I wasn't expecting. "I can still get down there," he said. "It all depends on how loose my shorts are." Plus you haven't seen "Stayin' Alive" until you've seen it led by Knittle wearing the trademark white suit, accessorized with an oxygen tank.

Young @ Heart provides the perfect combination of good natured humor and emotional struggle, as the chorus members stave off the debilitating effects of old age and cope with heartbreaking losses within their ranks. The chorus members bare their souls to us in ways that make us laugh along with them and fear for them at the same time. I was left awestruck by their determined efforts to stay active and think positive, even as their friends succumb to illness. This group of elderly people are true entertainers and work remarkably hard at their craft. A rehearsal and performance schedule like this would be demanding even for trained professionals in their prime. These folks made it look so easy, but you are also very aware that death is always lurking backstage.

Towards the end of the film, at the prison concert, the chorus' version of "Forever Young" has the inmates and the movie going audience in tears. Then the highlight of the big show is Knittle performing "Fix You" in one of the most memorable and moving moments on film I have ever seen. The song was intended to be a duet, but tragically the cycle of life intervened. The show must go on and so Fred does the number solo in tribute to his recently deceased singing partner.

Young @ Heart is a poignant testimony to the resiliency of the human spirit and to aging with grace and bravado. It proves that talent and passion have no age limit. It makes an eloquent statement about the twilight of a well-lived life. It is one of the most delightful and inspirational films I've seen in a long time. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.