Review of Youth Without Youth (2007) by John Joseph Y — 23 Feb 2008

[color=wheat][i]Youth Without Youth[/i] is an experimental, melodramatic fantasy film that intertwines a whimsical spy thriller with a grand philosophical adventure tale, all the while maintaining a central focus on linguistics.

It is an ambitious, fun, lightweight and self-aware endeavour that is unique in many ways, including both narratively and visually. All of this is reflected in the playful cinematography that fluctuates between the mundane and the beautiful.

The themes are complex, convoluted and tightly integrated into the narrative in an unfortunately palpable manner. Coppola may have overreached in his attempt to mutate together as many different genres as possible, but [i]Youth Without Youth[/i] is not without its share of intrigue and superficial pleasures.

[/color].