Young @ Heart

Have you ever heard of the documentary called Young @ Heart? It is not one that is on hand at your local Redbox so you will actually have to go into a video store to rent it. That may be a new concept to some of you but yes they are still in existence.

So it was nominated for an Oscar a couple of years ago and the idea of it really captivated me. They follow the Young @ Heart choir, which is a choir consisting of 70-80 year olds who sing songs ranging from Coldplay to Sonic Youth, for a couple of months.

I went into this movie thinking it would be very funny seeing these older folks singing some hard rock. And although there were some good laughs I was struck at how touched I was when they sang some of their songs. I watched it two weeks ago and I still think about it. It was that impactful.

In the last scene of their concert they sing ColdPlay’s “Fix Me”. Let me stop to say that I have a love/hate relationship with this song because I love the song itself but I hate ColdPlays version of it. I just don’t like Chris Martin’s voice. My problem not his.

So I love this scene where this guy with a booming low voice, who is on oxygen comes out and sings “Fix Me”. It is significant that someone with so many health problems is singing about fixing someone else. And if you will notice his oxygen machine actually keeps beat with the song which adds a hip-ness to it.

He also sings the song like my grandpa. Like my Grandpa is using all his years of experience to help a less experienced generation to understand that life will be rough, but there will always be people, like himself, that will help us along the way or fix us.

Sorry it won't let me embed the video but here is the link. Go rent it today!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZ4SIe5rVUM

Comments

It's Been a Day! said…
i love young at heart. and this was a great video. totally made me think of grandpa weed. i might have even shed a tear or two!
March 12, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Unknown said…
I know right. I downloaded off Itunes because he sounds so much like Gr. Weed. Good stuff.
March 12, 2009 at 2:42 PM
Erin said…
I haven't seen it, but have heard of it. I may just spend tonight cuddled up in my bed watching it.
March 13, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Carrot Jello said…
That makes me want to cry.
Thanks.
Thanks a lot.
March 13, 2009 at 4:02 PM
Stephanie Abney said…
Rob ~ This is one of my favorite DVD's too. I saw the movie at a premiere showing quite some time ago. Then I waited and waited for it to hit the regular theaters and it never did (sometimes the fate of indy films) so I was thrilled when the DVD came out. I wrote about it on my blog back in Oct. GREAT DOCUMENTARY ... lots of fun and goes straight to the heart as well!! ~ Love, Aunt Stephanie
March 15, 2009 at 12:01 PM
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