My Elderly Space

Just got back from a screening of Young@Heart (the documentary mentioned in the previous post) I will attempt to write our first movie review here at My Elderly Space!

I had some hesitation about this film prior to watching it. I was afraid it would turn out to be a gimmick at best, or at worst a blatant exploitation of this elderly group. But I'm happy to say that the movie was very well done and my fears were unfounded. Filmmaker Stephen Walker does a good job putting together a well told story with this naturally interesting subject. It was entertaining throughout with a healthy dose of emotional moments. I don't think anyone stepped out of the cinema without wiping away a tear or two.

I will shy away from details in case you don't know much about the group and plan to see the film. But it's easy to appreciate even on screen the work done by chorus group director Bob Cilman who has led the Young@Heart chorus for twenty-some-odd years.

Perhaps what I liked best about the movie is the way in which the chorus group members are portrayed -as interesting and amazing individuals- while trying to stay as far away as possible from social stereotypes. Over the 100 minutes or so, you will get to know and love the members of this fabulously interesting group. If there was one thing to complain about, it was the sound quality that detracted from my experience. The combination of the poor film print audio and the cinema system simply did not do the chorus group justice (although hardly the fault of the filmmakers)!

With all the positive points, it is easy to recommend this film. 4 out of 5 stars

Links:
The official Young@Heart website
The official movie website

Labels: movie review