Date: 21 September 2009
This is a British documentary which follows the Young at Heart Chorus as they prepare for a concert in their hometown of Northampton, Massachusetts. The age range of the singers is 73 – 94, but rather than tackle the old-time favourites, their director, Bob Cilman, trains them to sing punk, rock and pop. He is a hard taskmaster, but the singers are more than ready for the challenge. As well as rehearsals, the documentary follows the health problems of a number of the members, and there are moments of real sadness when one of their number dies. It is a touching, inspirational film which avoids sentimentality but proves that you are “only as old as you feel”.
FM