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Young @ Heart

// February 16th, 2009 // movie talk

Photo is from Hollywood.Com

WARNING : TOO MANY SPOILERS!

“Awwww,” screamed Eillen Hall at the beginning of this documentary. Then she starts to sing
the first line of the song. It goes like this:
bait pertama lagu yang liriknya seperti ini:
“Darling you gotta let me know, should I stay or should I go? If you say that you are mine, Ill be here til the end of time, so you got to let know, should I stay or should I go?”
This rock and roll song sung live in front of auidence who keep clapping their hands, admiring her unique performance.
Who the heck is Eillen Hall? She was one of the member the chorus Young @ Heart. It was formed Northampton, Massachusetts on 1982. What makes this chorus special? Well, that’s because it’s member contains people age more than 70 years old. Yes, they’re all grandmother and grandfathers, only the theme music they choose isn’t as “old” as they looked.
On this documentary, Eillen Hall was 92 years old. It doesn’t stop her passion to sing the song originally by The Clash.
With her right hand holding the cane to balance her body, she sings the last line of the song.
“Should I stay or should I go?
“Stay!!!,” the audience replies.
The idea behind this documentary came to Stephen Walker’s mind when he was charmed by the performance of this “senior citizen” on a stage in London.
He packed his camera and flew to US so he could film this chorus as they were prepared for their new show.
One of the people that possibly responsible behind it’s sucess is Bob Cilman. He’s the music director of this chorus. He is so much younger then it’s member, but he still got their respect.
Imagine how patience he is to train the group of these grandparents. But, don’t think since they are so old, he can’t be firm. He’s discipline and tough.
As a viewer, sometimes I just can’t stand to see some old people being criticized by him for not trying harder or concentrate.
However, the chorus apparently already getting used with Cilman’s character. They love their chorus so bad to call it quit.
Of course, Cilman sometimes frustrates when the senior difficulties to learn new song. One of the example when he decides to teach them the song “Yes We Can Can” written by Allen Toussaint. The chorus also frustrates because they have to mention the word “Can” more than 70 times.
In other time, Cilman frustrates with the duet between Stan Goldman ( 76) and Dora B. Morrow (84) when they try to sing I Feel Good by James Brown.
Morrow seems can’t find the right rhythm while Goldman keeps singing “I feel nice, I knew that I would”. . The correct words will be I feel nice like sugar and spice.
One day, Cilman decides to bring two of the chorus old member who has to quit sometimes ago for health reason. Bob Saldini (77) dan Fred Knittle (81). When, the film is made, Bob and Fred apparently feel that they now healthy enough to join.
Even though, he has to carry his oxigen tank around, Fred proves that he still got what it takes to be in this chorus.
Whilde Saldini, according to his family and friends, has more than 20 lives. There were times the priest already been called because they thought that his time finally arrive. Instead, he got better and now is ready to back on stage.
And… guess what song that Saldini and Knittle going to sing? It’s Fix You by Coldplay!
Before the concert, as a warm up, they’re gonna sing at the local jail. Unfortunately the chorus learn that Saldini has to be taken to the hospital.
He might be weak but he still has his spirit. There is Young @ Heart poster in his hospital room wall as a reminder that he wants to get heal soon so he can sings again.
On the day the chorus to jail, the assistant music director asked the film crew a private moment with the member. It turns out that she’s gonna announce the bad news that Bob Salvini has passed away. According to hospital staff, a day before he died, he keep practicing the song Fix You. So, the show still must go on.
At first I thought why they have concert on the jail? Why not doing it to more deserving people? I changed my mind, however, when watching the scene of inmates clapping their hands, smiling and finally tearing up during the song Forever Young by Bob Dylan. The song is dedicate to Bob Saldini who is just passed away. This is one of my favorite moment, it makes me believe to humanity again.
Then you’ll see how the inmates hugging and kissing the women members while telling them that this is the best performance they have ever seen in their whole life.
However, when their main concert has almost arrived, they must learn another bad news. Namun, ketika acara pentas utama paduan suara ini hamper tiba. This time is about one of their main lead vocal, Joe Benoit, who is just hospitalized.
We learn that Benoit had Cancer in the past and it appears to comeback. The next day, he passed away.
His death leaving a huge hole for the Chorus. Some performance with him on the lead has to be canceled. But, once again, the show must go on.
The most touching moment of the concert when Fred Knittle has to sing Fix You without Bob Saldini. The song also dedicates to both Saldini and Benoit.
I personally like documentary, but this one really is really special. There are so many things to learn from this. The whole documentary is just so inspirational. Being old doesn’t mean end of everything. To the member of Young @ Heart, life actually begins at 70.
I don’t think even anyone who hates documentary should watch this movie. Don’t worry, Stephen Walker and his crew really know what they’re doing to make this one easy and enjoyable to watch. But, of course the big kudos to the story and the brilliant performance of Young @ Heart.
finally, here’s the trailer and enjoy:

More to come…
Dead or Alive 2, Heaven and Earth and Dead Calm.

On Tuesday, we plan to see Coraline while we’re gonna receive DVD of The Shining at the same day. I am surely gonna share that experience hopefully very soon.