Young@Heart

NEW YORK (CNS) -- A senior citizens' chorus with an unusual repertoire is profiled in the often funny, ultimately moving documentary "Young@Heart" (Fox Searchlight).

The titular Northampton, Mass., singing group, led by their demanding director, Bob Cilman, eschews easy listening in favor of rock, R&B and even punk selections from stars such as Prince, James Brown, Talking Heads and Sonic Youth. The opening scene, for instance, features 92-year-old war bride Eileen Hall giving an energetic rendition of The Clash's "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

With less than two months left before an important hometown concert, Cilman encourages, cajoles and sometimes scolds his singers as they grapple with the dissonant Sonic Youth number "Schizophrenia" and with the tongue-twisting lyrics of Allen Toussaint's "Yes We Can Can." Chorus members also confront the challenges of old age, as one much-loved veteran dies early on in the filming and others cope with ill health.

Director-narrator Stephen Walker's film, originally made for Channel Four in the United Kingdom, quickly engages viewers by introducing a winning array of real-life characters and charting their struggles to master the music and carry on with the show. One especially poignant scene has them singing Bob Dylan's "Forever Young" for the inmates of a local jail minutes after receiving the news of their friend's death.

In addition to rehearsals, one-on-one interviews and the rousing climactic performance, "Young@Heart" also includes a series of music videos with ironically significant titles like "Stayin' Alive" from the Bee Gees and David Bowie's "Golden Years." These convey a sense of clear-eyed realism about death, but also a jaunty determination to persevere and remain active.

Apparently in an effort to explode myths about aging and sexuality, Walker presents some exchanges that, together with a small amount of crass language, make "Young@Heart" unsuitable for young viewers.

The film contains frank sexual discussion, innuendo and occasional crass language; it's possibly acceptable for older teens. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

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Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops