Review of Youth (2015) by Graham B — 17 Jan 2016

I don't write reviews often. I just came from seeing this movie with my husband. It's interesting reading all the other reviews, ranging from people who walked out from the movie, saying it was tedious and pretentious, while others thought it was fabulous, and loved the impeccable acting and outstanding musical score.

It's all about perspective - what YOU yourself relate to in life. The folks who hated it probably love action flicks and don't read poetry. If that's you, then don't go to this movie: it's slow, with lovely long silent scenes and poetic imagery. And dialogue that is thought provoking. That's a bit much for many folks to handle: they'd rather watch a fast paced Marvel comics movie, with dialogue that doesn't leave room for much depth.

And yes, Youth at times was "dull and tedious and pretentious" (other viewers) because it's depicting that's how so many humans are - who are trying to cover it up by going to movies that are so action packed that they forget everything about their own tedious life.

And where is our own plot?

I want to see this movie again just to figure out why specific scenes were put in, because it is clear that the director IS trying to make a philosophical point.

And no one in the other reviews mentioned the levitating monk.

All sorts of realities...quirky ones...emotional ones...superficial ones...ones I didn't like...generational ones...and...maybe there is a state of life that doesn't leave you looking forward or backward, but instead Within to eternal Reality, as depicted by the levitating monk...I found that short scene to be the significant climax of the film...seemingly nothing to do with the "plot", but really:

The core of the movie all revolved around that timeless view of a human being floating in mid air in the beauty of the alps... a human no longer fighting for fulfillment as all the others in the film struggle to do... The scene depicting that the human condition of gain and loss CAN be transcended. And it was such a fleeting scene...like all timeless fleeting moments we miss in our own busy drama filled lives...

In summary:

If you find lovely lingering moments in your own life underlying the drama and mundane moments, then you will love this movie.