Day 23 - Youth


Day 23               Youth [2015]
                          
Screenplay                     Paolo Sorrentino             
Director                          Paolo Sorrentino
Cinematography           Luca Bigazzi
Music                              David Lang & Mark Kozelek
Leads                               Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, Rachel Weisz, Paul Dano, Jane Fonda
Production                     Indigo Films, Number 9 Films, Film4, Canal+, Barbary Films, Mediaset Premium

IMDb                                    7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes             73%

Average ratings for this one. That surprised me as the trailer looked good and I was excited to watch it. Not to be deterred I whacked it on and I loved it. The shots are all beautiful, thanks largely to the beautiful setting – a grand hotel in the Swiss Alps. Harvey Keitel and Sir Michael play the parts of an aging screenwriter and a retired composer respectively. Both characters are interesting, Caine supported by Rachel Weisz playing his distant daughter. Keitel supported by his young writing team. There are also wonderful appearances from Dano as a Hollywood hotshot actor and Fonda as an aging diva. Other great characters are the hotel’s masseuse, Miss Universe and a hugely overweight Diego Maradona. I enjoyed every second as Sorrentino shows us the battles of growing old, being famous, being talented and even being young. It is funny and beautiful at the same time and the acting is impeccable. I laughed and I cried and I definitely recommend it.

Acting                              3 / 4
Writing                            3 / 4
Cinematography         3.5 / 4
Music                               3 / 4

HWF rating                3 / 4