by Daniel Johnson

Created on: October 07, 2008

YOUNG@HEART (Dir. Stephen Walker, 2007)
I was hesitant about this indie documentary about a vocal group comprised of 22 senior citizens singing pop, rock, and punk songs. I mean, though this is a chorus that has been at it with different members for the last 20 years the prospect of hip-ifying old folks brings to mind Pepsi commercials with rapping GrandMas or lame cheap comedies that have elders speaking in hip-hop jargon made me think this was a possible gimmicky cringe-fest. Well, moments into

YOUNG@HEART those short-sighted fears disappeared as choral director Bob Cillman introduced his singers to a song they've never heard by a band they've likely never heard of: "Schizophrenia" by Sonic Youth. They don't seem to take to it (sideline sound bite interviews show that most of these folks prefer classical music and show-tunes) but Cillman presses on. They are more receptive to Jame's Brown's "I Got You (I Feel Good)" though the rhythm and getting the lines right throws members Dora Morrow and Stan Goldman as they prepare for a concert in their hometown of Northampton, New England. Many marvelous moments are contained in this film whether musical or the joy of a life full of memories.

The day to day toll of getting old hinders some rehearsals as the beloved Bob Salvini's health worsens and his duet partner Fred Knittle (returning after a leave of absence from the group) struggles with his being gone and his very possible death. They all struggle with the 71 "cans" in Allen Toussaint's "Yes We Can Can" which frustrates Cillman who threatens to scrap the number but nobody wants to give up. Not giving up is the-show-must-go-on bottom line here as these resiliant and enthusiastic folks do their best to get their vocals right and find harmony with each other know that every extra day to do so is a gift. At times cheesy (I could do without the flashy music video sequences for the Talking Heads' "Road To Nowhere" and the Bee Gee's "Staying Alive") but mostly a funny and heartfelt ride, it's impossible to not be emotional when watching the climatic concert which of course is the finale of this film. Knittle's soft voiced emotional version of Coldplay's "Fix Me" (pictured on the left) ripples through the hall with the light glimmering off the tears in the eyes of people of all ages. It's not a spoiler
to tell that they nail every "can" in Toussaint's punchy positive action anthem; it's really just an enhancement to my endorsement.

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