It took me a week to get through Youth, maybe more. Matt kept asking after me, like the movie was a virus I had to endure, to shake. He worried I was suffering, and with good reason: director Paolo Sorrentino’s previous work, The Great Beauty, was in fact a bit of a trial for me. Not that it wasn’t, we
ll, a great beauty. It was. It was just also arduous and uppity. Sorrentino’s directorial trademarks include “oblique storytelling” and “partially obscure plots.” Is Youth more accessible? Sure. It is. But don’t worry: it isn’t without pretension.
If The Great Beauty was a treatise on the passage of time, what, then, is Youth? A testament to what is past? A longing and desire for vitality? The acknowledgement of our life’s work?
Michael Caine plays a composer\conductor who has hung up his baton, and not even the Queen herself can convince him to pick it up again. Harvey Keitel plays a film maker who is struggling to write his last great script, his magnum opus, his definitive work. The two are on vacation together in the Swiss Alps, comparing ailments, bemoaning their status, 
ruminating over mistakes, agonizing over decisions. Rachel Weisz plays daughter to Caine (and daughter-in-law to Keitel) – one who is freshly dumped, causing pain and anger to resurface. This makes for an actor’s showcase of emoting, but not much in the way of plot. Nothing happens: elderly naked people walk by, slowly, as slowly as the memories being recounted, like lazy clouds in a clear sky.
It is beautiful to look at. Caine proves that though his character may be ready to embrace retirement, he, the actor, is not. He’s brilliant, and he’s 
in good company. The best. But a collection of reminiscing characters does not a movie make. The latent aspect of the film began to feel claustrophobic to me. It’s like visiting your Gran at her retirement home: sure she’s a fascinating woman and you love her and want to pay your respects but OHMYFUCKINGGODGETMEOUTOFHERE.
You know what they say: Youth is wasted on the young.
ASSHOLES WATCHING MOVIES 
Nice post Jay 🙂 can’t believe how old Harvey Keitel looks. Not sure this is entirely my bag (baby) but I’d certainly give it a whirl.
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Yeah, I was kind of surprised he was okay with being the same age as Michael Caine, but apparently he’s 76 and Caine’s 82, so actually pretty close!
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lol nice review. This doesn’t look like something I’d enjoy, even if Paul Dano (whom I love) is in it. I had issues with The Great Beauty too. First 10 minutes were great, then zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
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Paul Dano is pretty interesting in it. It’s not a huge part but he kind of gives some life to things.
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Can’t say I’m really drawn to this other than to see Caine and Keitel share the screen. I’ll give it a go but I’m in no rush to do so.
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I heard this was kind of middling. Still on the fence about seeing it. I suppose if it is magically on one day, I’d give it a watch.
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A lot of good movies make me uncomfortable. I’m happier in my barcalounger.
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Great review …I mean I had a great laugh lol (yus I had to Google the names coz m not from the same part of the country as you)!
Have an awesome Christmas !!
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Urk! I am too old to appreciate naked old guys in the bath, even if they are Caine & Keitel. (Would rather be ogling the Hemsworth brothers naked in a bath to be honest). 😀
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Well there’s also a Miss Universe to ogle, if that floats your boat.
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Nope, men with chiselled jaws and 6 packs are my boat flotation devices, what can I say, I am Neanderthal girl. Mind you, I do like a bit of brain power in the devices, so all is not lost.
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What a cool site. And I hate to say this but Harvey K. is old. Think about it. I love the movies. I’m a member of the Screen Actors Guild so I get a lot of screeners hoping I’ll vote for them via the SAG awards. I still lean toward the low budget independent, though I liked the Steve Job film a lot being an Aaron Sorkin fan and all.
Wonder how you came upon my site today when it’s so completely different from yours.
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Yes, it’s true, he is getting up there, I guess I just picture him during his heyday in my head. And actually, he wasn’t even young then!!
I really liked Steve Jobs too – more than I thought I would even: it was a great surprise.
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this really was a chore to get thru because the story and plot was nearly non-existent. contemplated so many times to stop watching it 🙂
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Well high five to us!
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High ten! 😉
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well thanks Jay… i can relate, i take my Father in-Law food shopping every week…. and im yelling at the top of my lungs by the end of the day..those very words:)))
and i love(d) both of the actors. ill avoid this one.. at all cost..once a week with an older person is all i can handle:)!
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Hahaha, you’re too funny 😉
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I thought it was pretty mediocre. The performances are really good but I never found it all that interesting
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Interesting review. I tend to like kind of slow, stream of consciousness movies. I might like this one. But this IS Utah, the backwater of the movie scene. I wonder if it will ever show up around here… Merry Christmas, Jay! {{{Jay}}}
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Nice review, Jay!
I think this is the kind of movie my dad would enjoy (and I could enjoy it too if I get to watch it with him) 🙂
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