Elegant, Delicate Emotions Are Forged in ‘Youth’

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Rating: 5.0/5.0

CHICAGO – When a film tries to be philosophical, it easily can devolve into heavy handedness. But the exception is the latest from writer/director Paolo Sorrentino, the richly presented “Youth.” It treads upon many definitions of the title, and lands upon all of them, because that’s life.

Sorrentino’s last feature film was the underrated “This Must Be the Place” (2011), another meditative work that featured Sean Penn. This film features older actors Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel and Jane Fonda as representatives of different life phases in their golden age, each searching for something that remains a bit elusive. The great young actor Paul Dano adds his particular spice, this time in a reactive character rather than a antagonist, and he handles one of the most surprising scenes with perfect energy. The film is awash with imagery that fortifies the director’s point of view in the story, and has nuggets of dialogue that echo long after the intensely constructed end piece.

The setting is a Swiss hotel, five star and exclusive. In attendance is an eminent and legendary conductor/composer Fred Ballinger (Michael Caine), his daughter Lena (Rachel Weisz), film actor Jimmy Tree (Paul Dano), film director Mick Boyle (Harvey Keitel) and some background guests including the world’s greatest retired soccer player (Rudy Serrano) and the newly crowned Miss Universe (Madalina Ghenea).

Fred (Michael Caine) and Mick (Harvey Keitel) View the Universe in ‘Youth’
Photo credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures

The lodgers interact with each other, amid the luxurious spas, nightly entertainment and scenery. They contemplate the status of their lives as their situations occur, for example, Lena’s marriage has fallen apart. Also the Queen of England desires that the composer come out of retirement, the director can’t get his film made without star Brenda Morel (Jane Fonda), and a Buddhist Monk (Dorji Wangchuk) wants to fly.

Many of the background roles only are listed by their character traits (Miss Universe), but their symbolism become essential in solving the main players’ dilemmas. The “Pale Teenager” has a significant exchange with Jimmy Tree, breaking him of a stereotypical role that he’s most known for. The “Parachutist” drops in when Fred seems lost (“I don’t think I’m where I’m suppose to be”) and the “South American” soccer player has fame that transcend all others. These momentary travelers offer hope, if only anyone would listen.

The casting is precise, and the old pros – especially Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel – bring the proper bearing to both their roles and the development of the world that Sorrentino has created. Keitel and Fonda (who significantly dresses down her appearance) have a confrontation that is timed like a symphony crescendo, it shreds and parses both their lives in one electric moment.

Writer/director Sorrentino loves what the theater calls “stage pictures.” The background characters exist to provide these pictures, including a stunningly beautiful and metaphoric turn by Miss Universe. The hotel’s masseuse is also vibrant and mysterious, and entertains herself by dancing with a bizarre video game, that breaks the tension of the sometimes heavy lives portrayed.

Lena (Rachel Weisz) in ‘Youth’
Photo credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures

Most indicative of the feeling in the story is the film director’s work on his “testament,” and the way he is aided by his screenwriter crew, described by their characteristics of “funny,” “bearded,” “shy,” “in-love” and “girl.” They are part of the whole magical place, seemingly conjuring the action as it occurs. When they go away, the story must come to an end, and it does, in a graceful and artistic conclusion that soars with genuine joy-de-vivre.

I love the life lessons in “Youth,” and how despite everything, the game is never over until the carbon based cells – on which we’re built upon – shut out the lights. And who knows, if there is a life beyond this life then there is a whole other youth. Ah, to be born again, and again, and again…

By PATRICK McDONALD Writer, Editorial Coordinator HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com