Youth (2015) (English Language)

Review

124min

Genre:      Comedy, Drama

Director:   Paolo Sorrentino

Cast:        Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, Rachel Weisz…and more

Writer:     Paolo Sorrentino

-Synopsis-

In an exclusive clean-living Swiss Alpine retreat, a retired composer and his film director friend reflect on life’s loves, loss and regret, while the drama surrounding their eccentric fellow guests unfolds and a special someone seeks to draw him out of retirement in this unique comedy/drama from Italian writer/director Paolo Sorrentino.

Following his Oscar success with 2013’s ‘The Great Beauty’, director Paolo Sorrentino applies his unique eccentric style and philosophical life musings to a reflective story about ageing and the many emotional paths that life can take, charmingly interpreted by an impressive cast of talented actors and screen legends in this often dark and surreal adult comedy/drama.

Set in a beautifully shot mountain retreat populated by colourful guests representing the pinnacle of the arts and high society, some of whom will be very familiar, Michael Caine stars as an emotionally repressed widowed composer who struggles with looking back at life while accepting what may be yet to come, accompanied by his film director friend played by Harvey Keitel who has his own existential struggles.

There may be many points while watching ‘Youth’ at which you might tell yourself “This is gonna get weird”… and sure enough it often does. Not only with the often quirky dialogue and deadpan comedy, but with the ubiquitous use of music in the film.

The eclectic mix of music in ‘Youth’ plays a crucial part in the film, not just within the narrative itself but as an overly stylistic thread that holds the movie together, after all nothing makes something seem profound like slow motion movement over an emotional soundtrack.

But there are far too many interpretive musical sequences in this film and it begins to look like formula quickly, ‘Youth’ often feels like a 2 hour avant-garde music video, and at one point it literally is.

There is certainly enough comedic fodder and some genuine moments of pathos wrapped up in signature Sorrentino surrealism to entertain you throughout ‘Youth’, but the meticulous style overpowers the substance and exposes somewhat of a pompous streak, particularly in the haphazard scenes that deal with “artistic integrity”.

The Bottom Line…

Paolo Sorrentino combines a semi-satirical view on relationships, celebrity and the nature of art in a surreal comedy/drama featuring more talent than he knows what to do with, but ultimately despite its style and entertainment value, ‘Youth’ is too well dressed for its own party and lacks real substance to relate to.

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Similar films you may like (Home Video)

The Great Beauty (2013)

Paolo Sorrentino’s Oscar-winning surrealist Italian comedy satire following a once acclaimed ageing writer, now in an existential funk as he finally looks at his playboy lifestyle with clear eyes to see the absurdity and beauty of the decadent culture around him.

Directed by Paolo Sorrentino and starring  Toni Servillo, Carlo Verdone and Sabrina Ferilli  among others.

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