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Young at Heart
In theaters April 18th 2008
some mild language and thematic elements
Run Time: 109
Matt's rating - 4 out of 5
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Review by Matt Mungle
Age is mind over matter. If you don't mind, it don't
matter. Every now and then I will see something that I
just want to tell everyone about. Sure I get passionate
about films as a whole or I would not do what I do. But
there are certain cinematic creations that just stir me
up and I want to go around and personally invite
everyone to see it. That is most certainly the case with
the new documentary from Stephen Walker entitled
Young at Heart. Many people I have talked to have
heard about this amazing geriatric chorus group from
Massachusetts who put their own unique spin on rock
and pop but few knew that their story was now on the
big screen. Led by music director Bob Cilman and
made up of performers who range in age from 72 to
88, the Young at Heart chorus rocks. Simple as that.
What wasn't simple was the creating of this
documentary. Stephen Walker spent hours
painstakingly going over the footage he had captured
in order to bring this story to the state it is now. His
editing style and use of music and real life characters
allows you to get to know these wonderful men and
women while keeping the story and the facts moving
at a decent pace. It was wild to find out that certain
chorus members who I felt dominated the story only
appear once or twice. Walker made use of every
moment and allowed no fluffy filler. Plus, this is real
life. What I love about documentaries is that you can't
write anything as compelling as the human existence.
Walker goes backstage into the lives of these
members for a candid look at what drives them to do
this at their age. Overcoming illness and disease and
death to press on and go week after week.
Many may wonder what is so special about old people
singing. They see it every week in their churches and
many in their homes. And that is true. We should not
marvel that someone in their 70's can be in a chorus
or have a unique gift and hobby. What we can do is
use this as a reminder that music touches lives of any
age and that just because we reach a certain plateau
in life does not mean that we have to stop evolving.
The man who said you can never teach an old dog
new tricks, never encountered one of these feisty
singers as they tackle the music Cilman brings to
them. The Clash, James Brown, Cold Play, The
Flaming Lips and Radiohead. Though songs of this
generation they have never been more poignant than
when performed by these seasoned by years.
Young at Heart is rated PG for some mild language
and thematic elements. This is a movie for every
generation and should be viewed by all. You will laugh
along with these characters as the struggle through
lyrics and deal with songs of angst. You will weep too
at the love and emotion that is transformed through
their lives and music. Songs you have heard for years
will take on new meaning in this context. The lyrics are
the same. Nothing has been altered. But when you
hear them from these men and women you will hear
them as never before. I give Young at Heart a solid 4
out of 5 mosh pits. Get ready to fall in love with life and
music all over again.
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Matt and Cindy are members of the North Texas
Film
Critics Association (NTFCA). For additional
reviews
and interview clips visit the website.
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Mungleshow Productions
Matt Mungle
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