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Title:
Young@Heart
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Today a friend of mine died. He was 61 years old, but a friend none-the-less. His name was Tom, and while he had a long grey beard and Dumbledore-like spectacles he was a youthful man, ready to tell stories and give his advice from politics to movies. He wasn’t a condescending man though, and while people around him would tend to role their eyes at some of his long conversations we could all agree that we secretly liked these long stories. The news had started to sink in when I went to see the “Young@Heart,” an inspiring documentary about a group of youthful seniors singing together in a group. In this group no one was under 70 years old and the average age was 82. They are all youthful, fun, and joyful people to be around. Kind of like Tom was.
I found it ironic, really, that here is a day when an old friend of mine died and I was watching a movie about elderly people who keel over at any minute singing in a group (the added irony was that I was also finally approved for medical benefits today, but that’s neither here nor there). The groups leader is 53 year old Bob Cilman, who directs the group in singing songs of such variety as James Brown’s “I Feel Good,” Sonic Youth’s “Schizophrenia,” and The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go.” Buddy Holly, Frank Sinatra, and Barry Manilow are nowhere to be found (though listening to these geezers sing makes me believe that they could easily pull it off). I know people watch “American Idol” every week amazed at the way kids belt out pop songs to millions of people, but I’m more impressed when a 90 year old man sings a tearful rendition of Coldplay’s “Fix You” in dedication of his best friend, who died a few days before the concert.
Yes, there is tragedy. These people are old and frail, and they could die at any time. Though death comes suddenly and swiftly, the band pushes forward in memory of their friends. If there’s one thing that they encourage each other to do it’s not to waste time mourning for lost friend, but to continue living life to the fullest. It’s something we forget all too often. My dad often tells me that I’m young and that I don’t think of death much. I actually do. And have. If only because I’ve lost friends both young and old, in ways that are usually so sudden that I can’t help but feel as if the passing isn’t real. Likewise I try to be the best person I can be, because I want people to know I care about them before I leave. I don’t want to make it sound like I have a death wish, but for all I know I could be walking in the rain and get struck by lightening.
People die after winning the lottery all the time so it’s not impossible. And this is where “Young@Heart” truly touches the soul: This is not a movie about people waiting for death, but people living for life. The band’s name is obviously Young@Heart, because these people want to spend what little time they have left bringing joy to people around them. I’m thankful that director Stephen Walker took the time to make this movie, and give us a chance to know some of these wonderful people before they passed away. He said it was like he gained 24 grandparents, and I’m sure they felt like they gained a grandson. And Tom, who I know is up in heaven and telling stories to all of his old and new friends, well, he was always young at heart and I’ll never forget him.
- -Review By Kevin T. Rodriguez- -