Young @ Heart

Director:  Stephen Walker

“Song’s gotta lot of life, that’s what we have a lotta life.” – Young @ Heart Chorus member

You know when they say, “this film will make you cry one minute and laugh the next.”  Well, with this one take it literally, bring tissues, but know that when it’s over you will walk out uplifted.

This documentary follows the antics of the Young @ Heart Chorus as it rehearses new songs for its upcoming show Alive and Well.  The chorus is composed entirely of senior citizens who sing, not cute, old-fashioned ditties, but everything from the Ramones to The Clash to Coldplay to Sonic Youth.  And they do it well!  They perform in front of sold out shows both here and overseas receiving tears, laughs, cheers, and standing ovations every time. 

But what really makes this film special is getting to know the performers themselves.  They are driven by musical director Bob, who cuts them no slack because of their age. Their vocal abilities are showcased throughout in whimsical videos singing, “I Wanna be Sedated,” “Golden Years,” “Don’t You Want Somebody to Love,” and “We’re on the Road to Nowhere.” They are talented, tough as nails, and total characters.  From Eileen, the flirtatious 92 year old former stripper (“You have to use it or lose it.”), to Bob, who had the last rites performed on him twice but was still singing (“Did you see the white light?” “No, I refused to look.”), to Joe who had six bouts of chemo in four years, enough to kill a normal person, also still singing, to the playboy known also as the “sexy beast,” (“After 70 sex takes longer, so you have more fun.”),  we discover a group of incredibly funny, witty, and warm people with a true passion for singing, a passion that keeps them going and keeps them, well, young at heart.

In America, especially on TV, and in movies a lot as well, the elderly are noticeably absent most of the times.  There is a perception of old age as being something quiet, still, feeble, empty, and a fear that accompanies that.  Watching this reminds us that it doesn’t have to be that way, that in that stage of life, as in any, life is to a great extent what you make it.  Having something to be passionate about, having friends, goals, things to look forward to, can make the failings and health battles of being old surmountable, can even make it a time of joy and achieving new heights and new dreams.  Though the film is not without its losses, as one or two members of the chorus pass away during its course.  An intense performance at a men’s prison of “Forever Young” dedicated to a member who had died that morning actually moved hardened criminals (and apparently the odd semi-hardened reviewer) to tears. The criminals gave them a standing ovation and embraced them afterwards, still in tears.  That’s the power this chorus, and this film, have.  See it, it will make you feel better about life, and your next birthday.

Lucy Cruell