Review of Youth Without Youth (2007) by Mike T — 26 Nov 2008

It may sound bizarre to call Francis Ford Coppola underappreciated, considering that the first two Godfather films, the Conversation, and Apocalypse Now are all considered to be some of the greatest films ever made, but it's true. Most of his post-70's work is unfairly ignored or brushed aside despite the fact that much of it is quite good. He created a beautiful, operatic take on Dracula, and the brilliantly poetic Rumble Fish. Now comes his latest underrated masterwork, Youth Without Youth.

Youth Without Youth is one of Coppola's most difficult films, and it isn't surprising that it got such lukewarm reviews: it's possibly his most bizarre film. Given it's poor reception, I went in with low expectations, but I think it's probably his best film in 25 years. Roth is excellent as a man who is given new youth and great intelligence after being hit by lightning. I saw a man who clearly understood things we could never even begin to comprehend, and I was drawn in. This, the beautiful cinematography, and Osvaldo Golijov's score (the best I've heard in years) make this brilliant film. It reminds me a bit of 2001: A Space Odyssey; I don't fully understand everything I saw, but I know I liked it a lot.