The injunction to “act your age” certainly doesn't apply to the Massachusetts chorus profiled in Stephen Walker's charming, exuberant, and poignant documentary Young @ Heart, which profiles a group of seniors (average age: 80) who sing rock songs by the likes of Jimi Hendrix, the Ramones, and Coldplay before a live audience. Skeptics might be surprised to find that the choristers are able to handle the material at all--let alone competently--but any sense of condescension quickly disappears in the face of the joie de vivre marking the performances. Narrated by Walker himself, the film follows the chorus over a six-week period as they prepare for their annual hometown concert, a process involving rehearsals, incorporating new material, selecting soloists for individual songs, and firmly but patiently building each performance. Interwoven throughout are interviews with several chorus members, as the film follows their efforts to master both challenging lyrics and rhythms. Young @ Heart also takes a detour to cover the group's gig in front of inmates at a local jail before concluding with coverage of the their annual concert (and even adds a couple of MTV-style music videos in which the performers strut their stuff). Of course, given the members' ages, illness and even death are part of the mix. Young @ Heart is sweet, sad, honest, and uplifting--it will put a spring in the step of viewers of all ages. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include 10 deleted scenes (25 min.), a six-minute “Young @ Heart Goes to Hollywood” location featurette, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a winning documentary.] (F. Swietek)
Young @ Heart
Fox, 108 min., PG, DVD: $27.99, Sept. 16 Volume 23, Issue 5
Young @ Heart
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