I went to this film almost begrudgingly. The trailer depicted a group of octogenarians singing punk, rock and pop songs that were, perhaps, inappropriate to their generation...and we'd all have a good laugh. While there is laughter here, I would have been better prepared knowing there would be devastating moments in this film that illuminate the human experience for all of us.
While the songs indeed aren't the chosen fare for our seniors, the choice was carefully made to deliver an emotional whollop for the listeners. And they do deliver that ("Staying Alive" has a whole different meaning here than what the BeeGees intended.)
Most of us dread the oncoming debilitation of age. But here we're shown a model of how to face that with not just courage but defiance. That's no small task for a film whose country generally neglects, abandons or warehouses its elderly. And it doesn't even have to be bitter pill. The charm of the individual choir members depicted is almost hard to believe.
Anyone who has spent time among groups of the elderly won't find the usual complaining, small-mindedness or resentments. Most of that can be attributed to the unique talents of the director, Bob Cilman, who refuses to idealize his choir members or accept anything other than the best they can give. Not just as singers, but as human beings.
The oft mentioned moment--illustrated in the trailer--when the group visits a penitentiary is a revelation on many levels. But it's also excruciatingly painful. If you have recently lost an aging parent or grandparent, you might be warned that this film is unflinching in its portrayal of loss. That's not a bad thing; I just wasn't prepared.
Reading some of the comments posted here, I don't agree that anyone has anything to apologize for musically. This is performance art and it is splendid and powerful. I left the theater almost in a state of grace. And that's not what I expected walking in. There are small moments like the brief segment of the choir rehearsing Prince's "Nothing Compares 2 U" that I'll never forget. Thanks to the filmmakers for documenting this amazing group of people.
While the songs indeed aren't the chosen fare for our seniors, the choice was carefully made to deliver an emotional whollop for the listeners. And they do deliver that ("Staying Alive" has a whole different meaning here than what the BeeGees intended.)
Most of us dread the oncoming debilitation of age. But here we're shown a model of how to face that with not just courage but defiance. That's no small task for a film whose country generally neglects, abandons or warehouses its elderly. And it doesn't even have to be bitter pill. The charm of the individual choir members depicted is almost hard to believe.
Anyone who has spent time among groups of the elderly won't find the usual complaining, small-mindedness or resentments. Most of that can be attributed to the unique talents of the director, Bob Cilman, who refuses to idealize his choir members or accept anything other than the best they can give. Not just as singers, but as human beings.
The oft mentioned moment--illustrated in the trailer--when the group visits a penitentiary is a revelation on many levels. But it's also excruciatingly painful. If you have recently lost an aging parent or grandparent, you might be warned that this film is unflinching in its portrayal of loss. That's not a bad thing; I just wasn't prepared.
Reading some of the comments posted here, I don't agree that anyone has anything to apologize for musically. This is performance art and it is splendid and powerful. I left the theater almost in a state of grace. And that's not what I expected walking in. There are small moments like the brief segment of the choir rehearsing Prince's "Nothing Compares 2 U" that I'll never forget. Thanks to the filmmakers for documenting this amazing group of people.