Prepare to be charmed and enthralled by the inspiring individuals of Young@Heart,
a New England senior citizens chorus that has delighted audiences worldwide
with their covers of songs by everyone from The Clash to Coldplay. As Stephen
Walker’s absorbing documentary begins, the retirees are rehearsing their new
show, struggling with Sonic Youth’s dissonant rock anthem “Schizophrenia” and
giving new meaning to James Brown’s “I Feel Good.” We follow the two dozen
men and women, the oldest of whom is 92, over a period of two months as they
prepare for a concert in their hometown of Northampton, Massachusetts, guided
by musical director Bob Cilman, whose dedication is matched only by his mischievous
selections of songs for them to perform. As they gradually take possession
of rock, punk and R&B classics such as Allen Toussaint’s “Yes We Can Can,”
what emerges is a funny and unexpectedly moving testament to friendship, creativity
and defying expectations. It’s an experience, writes David Ansen of Newsweek,
that “sends you out of the theater transformed.” Rated PG. Producer:
Sally George. Director/Narrator: Stephen Walker. (UK/US 2008) 108 min.
Prepare to be charmed and enthralled by the inspiring individuals of Young@Heart,
a New England senior citizens chorus that has delighted audiences worldwide
with their covers of songs by everyone from The Clash to Coldplay. As Stephen
Walker’s absorbing documentary begins, the retirees are rehearsing their new
show, struggling with Sonic Youth’s dissonant rock anthem “Schizophrenia” and
giving new meaning to James Brown’s “I Feel Good.” We follow the two dozen
men and women, the oldest of whom is 92, over a period of two months as they
prepare for a concert in their hometown of Northampton, Massachusetts, guided
by musical director Bob Cilman, whose dedication is matched only by his mischievous
selections of songs for them to perform. As they gradually take possession
of rock, punk and R&B classics such as Allen Toussaint’s “Yes We Can Can,”
what emerges is a funny and unexpectedly moving testament to friendship, creativity
and defying expectations. It’s an experience, writes David Ansen of Newsweek,
that “sends you out of the theater transformed.” Rated PG. Producer:
Sally George. Director/Narrator: Stephen Walker. (UK/US 2008) 108 min. 