Review of Youth Without Youth (2007) by Philip N — 12 Dec 2008

I honestly don't know what to think of this movie. It was certainly bizarre, with dreamlike visual sequences and esoteric eastern philosophical ramblings. The story also lacked real forward motion, yet it was not without poignancy.

The acting was fine, and the movie was very beautifully filmed in what seemed like an old-fashioned style. Perhaps the best thing about 'Youth Without Youth' is its score, composed by Osvaldo Golijov, in my mind the greatest composer alive today.

I am reluctant to give this movie a definitive rating after just one viewing; it bears revisiting, if only to try and make some sense out of it.