Review of Youth (2015) by Blake P — 09 Jun 2016

Review:

What a brilliant movie! The acting is great from the whole cast and the chemistry between Keitel (Mick Boyle) and Caine (Fred Ballinger) is realistic and quite sweet. Rachel Weisz, who plays Fred's daughter, Lena and Paul Dano (Jimmy Tree) put in unique and emotional performances which made this film a joy to watch. The whole movie is based on a unique and elegant holiday resort, at the foot of the alps, we're the rich and famous go to get away from there day to day hectic life's. Fred Ballinger is a famous conductor, who has recently lost his wife and has decided not to conduct anymore, even though the Queen wants him to perform his most popular piece for her birthday. His close friend, Mick Boyle, is on the resort working on a script with his team of writers and actors, so when he's not writing, he meets up with his close friend so they can catch up on there day to day activities. Fred's daughter, Lena, stays with her father because her husband has left her and she still feels bitter after loses her mother. Jimmy Tree, who is a famous actor and is taking time out before he stars in a big budget picture, playing Hitler. Lena soon falls for a rock climber who is also staying on the unique resort, and Mick becomes depressed after the leading character in his masterpiece, Brenda Morel, (Jane Fonda) pulls out of the movie and tells him some home truths about his career. Meanwhile, Fred is slowly coming out of depression, after losing his wife, and he finally decides to put on the performance of a lifetime for the queen. Its a really touching story about being elderly and close friendships. The witty script was brilliant and the whole look and feel of the film was unique and very well put together. It certainly didn't feel like it was over 2 hours long and you can't help feeling emotional about the individual characters, who are all going through a midlife crisis of there own. Anyway, I really enjoyed this film and I honestly think that it didn't get the recognition that it deserved. Great!

Round-Up:

Although this movie only made a $2million profit at the box office, I honestly think that it would have made much more if it got a major release. Keitel and Caine definitely should have got some awards for there performances and the cinematography was out of this world. Anyway, this movie was written and directed by Italian born, Paolo Sorrentino, 46, who directed This Must Be The Place, starring Sean Penn and Rio, I Love You, which also starred Harvey Keitel. Most of his movies have been for an Italian market, so he isn't known worldwide but he has certainly proved that he has a unique style which is needed in Hollywood today. He definitely got the most out of the actors/actresses and there were some touching scenes which were quite emotional. The way that the movie ended, with the intense music conducted by Caine, was brilliant finishing touches on a great movie and it must be one of Caine's best performances for some time.

Budget: $13million.

Worldwide Gross: $15million.

I recommend this movie to people who are into their drama/comedies starring Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, Paul Dano, Rachel Weisz, Jane Fonda, Alex Macqueen, Madalina Diana Ghenea and Loredana Cannata. 8/10.