YOUNG @ HEART
CAROLINE: I was very excited to see the new documentary, “Young @ Heart,” because I had heard it was a very sweet movie about old people singing.
RYAN: You had me at “singing.”
CAROLINE: [laughs’ And it is indeed a very cute film, albeit far too long for its genre.
RYAN: Before we get into all that, I just want to say that I had zero interest in this film because I only rarely enjoy documentaries. Plus I’m a little ageist, and I just wasn’t that into this concept. But then when you told me they sing, I was like, “Done and done. I’m there.”
CAROLINE: It’s about a unique chorus of people in their 70s, 80s and even 90s who sing contemporary rock and pop songs. It’s just hilarious to hear a 90-something woman singing “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” by The Clash, or something by Coldplay or Sonic Youth.
RYAN: The hook of the movie isn’t the music, though the singing is pretty good. You really begin to care about these people as you get to know them and their families. The movie draws you in that way.
CAROLINE: Especially because it’s so clear how much these people love to sing. It really gives them a second wind in their old age.
RYAN: It’s their raison d’etre. And the best part for me was that there are four or five of their music videos interspersed throughout the movie. They are so funny.
CAROLINE: They’re very cute and you can find them on the YouTube. But getting back to the length… this is a very sweet and even sad movie, and I can see why they wanted to get so much in, because a lot of unexpected stuff happened during filming. But they really needed to take a step back and reconsider the editing, because it was just way too long and it started to drag. A movie like this should be 80 to 90 minutes max.
RYAN: I think the problem was that they were too sentimental with the footage. Every moment was so precious to them that they couldn’t bear to cut anything out, and they should have.
CAROLINE: There was no need for this movie to be an hour and 45 minutes long. I was starting to squirm in my seat.
RYAN: You and me both, honey. Bottom line?
CAROLINE: It’s a sweet, funny and poignant documentary. I didn’t cry, but I was definitely touched. And I was totally impressed with the singing. These old folks really know how to turn it up!
RYAN: It’s a very cute movie. The first half was a little bland, but then it picked up and I really enjoyed it… until it got too long and dragged a little. But LBH, it’s a documentary and it’s not a must-see in the theater.
CAROLINE: It’ll be a great rental in a few months though.