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Joe Benoit, Helen Boston, Louise Canady, Bob Cilman, Elaine Fligman ... see more see more... , Jean Florio , Len Fontaine , Stan Goldman , Eileen Hall , Jeanne Hatch , Donald Jones , Fred Knittle , Norma Landry , John Larareo , Miriam Leader , Patsy Linderme , Brock Lynch , Steve Martin , Joe Mitchell , Dora B. Morrow , Gloria Parker , Liria Petrides , Ed Rehor , Bob Salvini , Jack Schnepp , Janice St. Laurence , Stephen Walker , Jim Armenti , William E. Arnold Jr.

The Young@Heart Chorus is a vocal group from Northampton, MA, who have earned an international reputation for their unique interpretations of songs by Sonic Youth, the Ramones, and the Clash. However,... read more read more... this isn't a teenage garage band attacking the classic punk rock songbook -- the Young@Heart Chorus is comprised of 22 senior citizens whose average age is 80, and under director Bob Cilman they've gained a degree of fame for their enthusiastic a cappella renditions of well-known rock & roll tunes. Filmmaker Stephen Walker spent several weeks with the members of the Young@Heart Chorus as they rehearsed for their annual concert in Northampton, and Young@Heart is a documentary which offers a look at their rigorous rehearsal process, the background of several members, and their efforts to stay active and think positive, even as their friends succumb to old age. Produced for British television, Young@Heart was screened in competition at the 2007 Los Angeles Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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90% liked it

5,069 ratings

Critics

88% liked it

99 critics

PG, 1 hr. 47 min.

Directed by: Stephen Walker

Release Date: July 1, 2007

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DVD Release Date: September 16, 2008

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Stats: 1,197 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,197)

  • danperry17
    January 26, 2011
    danperry17
    A touching documentary about the unlikeliest of American institutions, a chorus group from New England made up of seniors that performs an annual show, sometimes in Europe, despite the fact that many members are knocking at death's door. What's more, the film is punctuated by a f... read moreew "music video" interludes that showcase some telling tracks, particularly "I Wanna Be Sedated" by the Ramones, David Bowie's "Golden Years" and disco classic "Stayin' Alive". It won't take long to warm up to this film as you watch it, and it's impossible to avoid being moved. "I'm just tired and bored with myself," (a line from Bruce Springsteen's "Dancin' in the Dark") sure sounds different coming from a group of 80-year-olds performing at a prison... and making the inmates cry! Young of Heart wedges a beautiful slice of.life between plenty of entertaining songs, and it makes for a film that's not to be missed.
  • ScoopOnline
    December 19, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    You're Never Too Old To Rock.
  • hobster1
    January 17, 2009
    hobster1
    Documentary about a choir group from Northampton, Massachusetts, average age 80, that sing rock & roll tunes. Overly precious, even condescending, narration, mars the film. At times, feels a little like one of those "old people are cute" segments that often end nighttime newsca... read morests. However it's hard not to like this film, these people are wonderful and their heart shines through.
  • mrbungle7821
    November 21, 2008
    mrbungle7821
    [COLOR=DarkRed][FONT=Arial]Old people and rock and roll seem like contradictory terms. It's easier to imagine a 70-something grandma listening to the soothing tunes of Lawrence Welk or the Andrews Sisters than the likes of Sonic Youth and The Clash. Young @ Heart is a documentary... read more that follows a unique chorus made completely of senior citizens (the youngest member is 72) who travel the country singing contemporary rock songs. Now, bear witness to great-grandmothers rocking at a reasonable hour and partying on days where they take their meds.

    Once old people reach a certain aged age they fall into the same category as children, and by that I mean you can position them to do anything out of the ordinary and it suddenly becomes adorable. Seeing a baby wear a top hat? Cute. Seeing an old person dance to a modern rock song? Cute. I don't make the rules, folks, but the end of life and the beginning of life have much in common, which includes the universal appeal of young and old doing things unlikely for their age. So, yes, Young @ Heart has a steady supply of adorable moments, especially as you watch how joyous many of the members are when they practice. Many members of the chorus have severe medical ailments and profess that participating and singing has medicinal benefits. They feel young and energized, and sometimes the members will defy doctor's orders to attend. It is clear how much singing can mean to these people, and watching them come alive is undeniably heartwarming, but it's downright moving when the Young at Heart chorus branch out. They perform at a prison and literally bring incarcerated prisoners to tears. I'll admit that I was fighting back tears myself during the stirring performance of Coldplay's "Fix You," which is given a somewhat profound new meaning. The lyrics, "Lights will guide you home," and "When you lose someone you can't replace," are given more relevance when sung by octogenarians who have all experienced recent loss amongst their ranks.

    With such a naturally intriguing premise, it's a shame then that director Stephen Walker doesn't do more with the material. In many ways, Young @ Heart is a rather ordinary documentary that forgoes several opportunities to dig deeper. The interviews are rather basic and rarely penetrating, and the narrative structure of practicing for the big show means that the concluding fifteen minutes will be locked into being the performance. Walker narrates the movie and often inserts himself into the film because it seems like he wants to be part of the fun. Documentaries can succeed from objective and subjective point of views, but I get frustrated when people like Walker don't want to merely tell the story but piggyback so they are part of the story. It smacks me of narcissism.

    I think there was a stronger dramatic dynamic with Young @ Heart than what Walker captures, and I think he misses this because he had lowered ambitions for the film simply to document the seven-week period of practice. Every now and then you'll discover a moment that points to what Young @ Heart had the potential to become, but Walker's intention is more along the lines at gushing at what geezers can do. I get that Walker feels affection for his subjects but couldn't he have gone further than the old-people-sing-young-people-songs gimmick? Some times the film feels like it has as much depth as a prototypical behind-the-scenes featurette on a DVD.

    Walker evenly divides the film between performances and interviews and he also doesn't overdose on the pathos even after deaths hit the Young at Heart clan. The movie has several music videos where the old folks sing to songs like "Golden Years," "I Wanna Be Sedated," and "Stayin' Alive." As you can see, each song is given something of a twist. However, the music videos come across as cheesy and unnecessary since seeing the performers live would be more interesting and real. Including several music videos, of songs that we never see the chorus practice no less, seems like wasted time that could have been spent getting to know our cast of characters better. I'd rather better know them as people than laugh and giggle at them performing The Bee Gees at a bowling alley.

    There are some chorus members that separate from the pack like 92-year-old Eileen Hall who used to be a burlesque dancer many moons ago. She's the oldest in the film and yet in many ways has the most indomitable spirit, frequently cracking jokes and making suggestive statements that Walker deems to be "flirting." Fred Knittle is a man who was told he'd have two years to live after suffering his latest heart attack. By the time he rejoins the chorus he's at two years and four months and running. He ably steps into the solo spot to sing "Fix You" after the original singer passes away. The moment is so pure and emotional that it reminds you about the power of music in a non-saccharine way. One of the more interesting figures in the film is Bob Cilman, the music director of the Young at Heart chorus. Here is a man in his 50s teaching contemporary rock songs to the elderly, and yet the film never explores this man and his infinite patience. What are his reasons for doing the Young at Heart chorus? What does he think about his own life's purpose? The movie would have strongly benefited by spending more time exploring the life of this man and his unique mission. I want to know what makes him tick.

    My faults with the film do not fall upon the subjects. This batch of senior citizen rockers is a delightful group and watching them perform can be entertaining and occasionally inspiring. However, I cannot fully recommend it because its scope and interests are far too narrow given the subject matter. Director Walker would rather treat his senior subjects like they were posing for a calendar in adorable poses, and I'm glad he has such warm affection for these lively octogenarians. But his affection clouds his filmmaking judgment and Walker ignores plenty of palpable drama. The concluding concert will certainly produce smiles and some toe tapping, but this drama could have been so much more. I can honestly say that, beyond the communal experience, there is no reason to catch this movie in a theater. It will play the same on your TV screen. If only Walker had listened a little harder to his older subjects then maybe he would have realized that true wisdom does not come merely from a cute gimmick.

    Nate's Grade: C+[/FONT][/COLOR]
  • fb1144932598
    May 29, 2009
    fb1144932598
    A group of senior citizens who sing rock and roll music to the delight of audiences around the world are captured in this terrific documentary. The film follows the group through rehearsals for an upcoming show, and grants us access to their personal lives. Inspiring, touching, a... read morend downright excellent musicianship make this film a delight. Loved the choice of music, as it all had a hidden meaning, given the performers. A lot of tongue in cheekiness and a gentle reminder of the importance of enjoying life to the full while the body still has breath.
  • chihoe
    March 28, 2008
    chihoe
    This poignant documentary made me truly feel young @ heart. The buildup to the chorus' big night is well chronicled, and has its fair share of ups and downs. Despite setbacks and devastating news, the spirited, determined folks push through and achieve in moving, inspiring and en... read moretertaining the live and screen audiences. I had the urge to spontaneously stand up and move along to their unexpected pick of songs, was laughing aloud at their witty jokes, had tears well up in my eyes multiple times, was reminded of the elders in my life; just a potful mix of emotions. A must watch if you can, otherwise YouTube their cool videos.
  • lesleyanorton
    July 30, 2009
    lesleyanorton
    Sweet, optimistic , and sobering too, when the choir's main problem is stagiing a concert when they don't know who will still be alive to sing in it.
  • merlynsprankling
    October 24, 2008
    merlynsprankling
    Under the command of musical director Bob Chilman, the Young At Heart Chorus is a chorus group of senior citizens with an average age of 81(!), who perform songs from a diverse repertoire ranging from James Brown to The Clash.

    As we watch the Young At Heart rehearse for their ... read morelatest show over the course of seven-weeks, the struggle against ailments is a bigger battle than learning how to perform Sonic Youth's 'Schizophrenia.'

    This documentary flick reads to me as an ad for metamucil, vitamins xyz supplements, and heart combining food diets rolled into one.

    Still, they are highly watchable old folks (some grumpy) who are colourful, quirky and determined. Chilman does a wonderful job with the chorus and it is amazing to see the transformation of the songs which often take on new meaning considering the physical fragility of the performers.

    The doco is perhaps in favour of inspirational rather than pitiful. The flick is a celebration of those who are tenacious and young at heart individuals.
  • adfill7
    October 17, 2008
    adfill7
    Watching a man who has just been released from the hospital sing Coldplay's "Fix You" sets the tone for the whole film: heartbreaking, emotional, and, at times hilarious. Seriously one of the best movies of the year.
  • fb1025970122
    October 9, 2008
    fb1025970122
    This was such a great film, im not usually big on documentaries, but there are always exceptions and this was just great. From the opening number you are hooked-wondering what is going on-and how this choir came to be and why these elderly people would want to do something like ... read morethis. It is a great idea, and you learn a lot about older people that you might not see with regular visits to your grandparents. It is funny, and at times, extremely sad-it is entertaining and uplifting-it makes you believe that getting old isnt all that awful, but instead something to look forward too. It doesnt mean the end of opportunity-it just means the chance to do something new and possibly something you never have considered in your prime. Great film.

View All Young@Heart Reviews

Critic Reviews

Eric D. Snider
May 26, 2008
Eric D. Snider, Film.com

A more genuinely sweet and uplifting documentary I have not seen in quite a while. Full Review

Roger Moore
May 9, 2008
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

Young@Heart is nothing less than an ode to joy. Full Review

Tom Long
April 25, 2008
Tom Long, Detroit News

An undeniably sweet mix of disarming honesty, inspired gumption and brutal reality, Young@Heart somehow manages to avoid the maudlin while enhancing the obvious with its portrait of a chorus of senior... Full Review

Tom Horgen
April 25, 2008
Tom Horgen, Minneapolis Star Tribune

In many ways, this serious side of Young@Heart is what ultimately makes the film memorable. Full Review

Jessica Reaves
April 18, 2008
Jessica Reaves, Chicago Tribune

A chorus (average age 80) prepares for a springtime tour, putting their signature spin on classics--classics like The Clash's "Should I Stay or Should I Go." Full Review

J. R. Jones
April 18, 2008
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

The project reeks of commercial calculation, which is just tolerable until Walker, in search of a story arc, follows two chorus members with serious illnesses into the hospital. Full Review

Philip Marchand
April 18, 2008
Philip Marchand, Toronto Star

One of the most remarkable scenes you will ever see in a documentary is the chorus of elderly men and women -- average age of 80 -- singing Bob Dylan's 'Forever Young' before convicts in a Massachuset... Full Review

Walter V. Addiego
April 18, 2008
Walter V. Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle

The film's emotional peak comes at the end when the chorus performs for prison inmates who must be, on average, well under half the age of the singers. It's a liberating experience, for both sides. Full Review

Kamal Al-Solaylee
April 18, 2008
Kamal Al-Solaylee, Globe and Mail

The doc may indeed be too cute for some, but Walker knows when to step back and let life, with all its harshness and disappointments, into the picture. Full Review

Ty Burr
April 18, 2008
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

In Young@Heart, the prison is old age, and every song's a jailbreak. Full Review

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