Young at Heart

When it comes to documentaries I feel like there are two kinds- those meant to incite anger or disgust and those meant to inspire. When done well, they do not only achieve their goal, but often times stay with me for days after. There was a time when I was bored by documentaries, but a few years ago I was shown the error of my ways by riveting documentaries like Spellbound, Bowling for Columbine, Wordplay and Super Size Me. Young at Heart plants its goal directly in the category that is meant to inspire us, but does it succeed?

Stephan Walker fell in love with the singing group Young at Heart the first time he heard them that he wanted to document them for television. After the success of it, he re cut his footage and turned it into a feature length film. Young at Heart is a choral group of senior citizens singing popular music, often punk rock. They sing songs from The Ramones, The Clash, Sonic Youth, James Brown, Outkast, Coldplay and others. If it sounds a lot gimmicky, give it time. Walker filmed for seven weeks as the group was getting ready for a new tour. Bob Cilman, the director of the chorus, started the group in the 1980s where the group sang old Vaudeville numbers, but the group has obviously changed its tune now. Cilman is a task master who does not treat the senior citizens with kid gloves and he is often expressing his disappointment, especially with the new songs- I feel Good, I can do it and Schizophrenia. For this particular tour, Cilman wants to bring back two former choir members, Fred and Bob, to sing a duet of Coldplay's "Fix You." Fred and Bob both had to leave the group due to health complications. In between the rehearsals we get to know some of the choir members and get invited into their homes. This is where the movie really gets it's heart because the old folks are some serious characters. The ones that really seem to love the camera are Eileen, a 92-year-old flirt; Lenard, a speed demon on the road; Steve, who still loves sex; and Joe, the star of the group. Spliced throughout the movie are music videos by the group to songs like I wanna be Sedated and Staying Alive.

Young at Heart is the kind of movie that will have you laughing one second and have you tearing up in the very next moment. Death is never too far away from the thoughts of the group and we even see death hit the group twice. However, this is not a sad movie; it is a movie that reinforces life. It is a movie that believes the power of music can make anyone feel young again and the members of the group truly believe they can go on as long as they have the music. It is a very touching story and while the director sometimes gets in his own way, the story never feels forced. I never felt like I was being manipulated into a specific emotion because the group members are so genuine it is hard not to want them to be your grandparents. Whether it is Fred's bad Rodney Dangerfield like jokes, Steve flexing in the mirror or the whole group dancing around to "I Feel Good." There is a life and a spirit in these senior citizens that made me embarrassed to feel the way I feel about life. As one guy says "Singing makes you forget the aches of the knees, the hips and the breathing." About death, Eileen said "I told them to go on without me because I will be sitting on my rainbow in the sky watching over them." It sounds cheesy, but as I sit here typing this remembering this adorable 92 year old saying it, I get choked up.

My only complaint about the movie is about the band director, Bob Cilman. This guy comes off often like a total tool. He seems narcissistic, like he is doing this just to get the glory. He performs in stage with them- taking solos, dancing, interrupting- and he is kind of annoying. However, he redeems himself mostly by the time the film ends. Moreover, while the group feels like an exploitation of old people, it is not. Trust me, people may have gone to watch this group as a carnival side show but were soon in love with the group. These group members have a real passion for singing and for life and it is clear that they are not being exploited. This is a sincere group of singers, dancers and life livers. Some of them can really sing well and listening to senior citizens sings lyrics like "If you say that you are mine/ I'll be here 'til the end of time" gives the words a whole new meaning. When the group sings "Nothing compares to you" as a tribute to a fallen friend and they do it at a prison where criminals are tearing up as well, just try and not shed tears. The climatic concert provides the joyous climax but it also provides the most touching, heart breaking moment. The duet of "Fix You" became a solo and while the song on its own is a heart wrenching song, Chris Martin's whiny singing voice gets in the way of the lyrics. Here, with a deep smooth baritone, Fred gets every ounce of sadness out of that gorgeously written song and it provides such an emotional out pouring on so many levels it made me want to call my estranged grandparents and hug them via phone.

Documentaries are not for everyone, but a movie like this should be. Maybe I am more emotional than others, but I really feel this movie is genuinely moving and am not surprised that the film has played to standing ovations. If you get the chance to check it out, I really recommend it.

Final Grade: A