Youth – Film Review by Frank L.

Written and Directed by Paolo Sorrentino

Stars: Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, Rachel Weisz

The action, which is remarkably unergetic given the title, starts and mostly takes place in a very superior hotel in a glorious Swiss Alpine mountainous setting in the summer months. It is a hangout for the very rich. Amongst those taking a little break is a renowned, retired composer and orchestral conductor Fred Ballinger (Michael Caine). Another guest is his great friend Mick Boyle (Harvey Keitel). They go back a long way. Indeed Fred’s daughter (Rachel Weisz) is married to Mick’s son. Fred is happily settled into retirement. He cannot be persuaded even by a summons to return to the podium by no lesser personage than an equerry of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. She wants him to perform his famous composition at a birthday concert for Prince Philip! His answer is “no”.

Meanwhile Mick is still trying to make a great movie even though he is in his twilight years. He is needless to say having all the usual problems that film directors endure. Those problems do not simplify with age.

There are other well-heeled occupants of the hotel including an obese Maradonna like figure, a rather grand elderly couple who appear not to communicate with words and a young actor who is apparently on the way up. The close up camera work of old flesh, wrinkled skin has its own integrity when placed in the vicinity of much more youthful flesh and smoother skin. Although this film is entitled Youth its subject is really old age. Jane Fonda fits neatly into this category who plays an aged Hollywood star (think forceful) called Brenda Morel who gives a barnstorming performance as she tells Mick what she thinks of the film he is making and those in his recent past. There are all sorts of quirky little sub plots in which Fred and Mick are more knowing observers than participants.

It is this relationship between Mick and Fred which is the core. Caine and Keitel display singly and jointly the mastery of the craft of acting which creates a gentle but powerful bond. There are many glorious moments when the audience is permitted to participate in their little in-jokes. Caine and Keitel are full of mischief. Sorrentino’s direction plays to their strengths. In particular he has Fred surveying a magnificent pastoral scene with cows moving languidly in the middle distance. Their bells sound as they move. Fred dreams of his musical past as a conductor and then he is no longer retired he raises his hand and conducts the cows as they move with their bells chiming in a magnificent bovine symphony… pure magic.

The story line is somewhat languid but the acting of Caine, Keitel and Fonda is such that it seems niggardly to make such a complaint. Sorrentino has created a film which celebrates old age in a generous and quirky manner.