Forever Young

You've Never Been Rocked Until You've Been Rocked by Senior Citizens
by
 Morgan P Salvo

I defy anyone to not like this movie. Young at Heart will run your emotions through the gamut of joy, sorrow, anticipation and hilarity with affirmations of life, death and yes, even sex…you get it all.

This documentary is about the “Young at Heart” senior citizens chorus whose average age is 80-something, conducted by a 53 year old taskmaster and music-genius named Bob Cilman. Focusing on the rehearsals for their “Alive and Well” tour, the film follows the development of three diverse new numbers: Sonic Youth’s “Schizophrenia”, James Brown’s “I Feel Good” and Allen Toussaint’s “Yes We Can-Can” The songs are chosen by Cilman, as the performers’ personal tastes range from classical to opera with only a vague knowledge of rock. After performing “Should I Stay or Should I Go”, 92 year old singer Eileen says, “I dunno, I think it’s the Crash?”
The songs prove challenging, and the practices often grueling but the devotion of these people is amazing. Through brilliant interviews, director Stephen Walker reveals the idiosyncrasies of a few wacky and touching characters: Steve, manifesting boyish exuberance, Stan, the goofy intellectual, Lenny, with eyesight good enough to still drive, Eileen, a British ex-stripper and dazzling charmer, Fred and Bob, who come out of retirement for a duet, and Joe, who can memorize any song in a day. Derived from sheer passion they all enthusiastically explain why they are in the chorus: It’s unanimous that it makes them feel young, gives them something to live for.
There are many hilarious moments, including a scene in which two guys try to negotiate the playing of a CD, the chorus trying to wrap their brains around Sonic Youth’s demented poetry and several side-splitting MTVish music videos, including “I Wanna be Sedated”, and “Staying Alive”. On the other side of the spectrum, in one extremely poignant scene the chorus plays at a jail, bringing cellmates to tears with Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young.”
Due to the age of the subjects, Young at Heart inevitably delivers a heart wrenching mortality check. Tragedy strikes in the form of the typical nemesis plaguing the aged: spinal meningitis, cancer, congestive heart failure, pneumonia, but the codgers put their ailments on the back burner because the show must go on. They all agree that when they perform, singing makes all the aches and pains go away.
Rehearsals lead up to a sold out show in Massachusetts, showcasing their zest for life. It’s a crap-shoot that they will do all the songs correctly, but regardless, they should blow the rafters off. There’s just enough tension that we root for them all the way. They don’t disappoint. There will be no dry eye in the house for their version of “Fix You”.
This exhilarating, nail biting, happy-sad movie belongs in a time capsule – better yet, I hope their endeavor will never die and continues as long as time itself.
I have never seen a more moving and compelling documentary that so exalts the triumph of spirit and the joyous moments of life. We’re not here forever. Consider this movie a huge wake-up call not to take anything for granted and to live life to the fullest. . Young at Heart‘s music might not always tame the savage beast but it could save your soul… see this movie--take everyone you know.

Young at Heart
Directed/narrated by: Stephen Walker
 4 stars