Michael CaineYouth [DVD] [2016]

Apparently there were boos and cheers at Cannes as the audience was divided after seeing it. Judging by previous reviews Amazon viewers are also divided. Personally I really enjoyed it. Although the film had funny moments it was also very poignant and was a reflection on ageing and embracing life. Not a great deal seems to be going on in the posh health spa as a sense of serenity and relaxation is portrayed with people being massaged and lazing around pools and saunas but actually quite a lot is going on under the surface in peoples minds. I thought that the actors gave a depth to the characters. The cameo performance of Paloma Faith and Jane Fonda were entertaining and Maradonna displayed his skill in kicking a tennis ball despite his bulk which was rather a shock. The scenery and photography were beautiful. The ending brought a tear to my eye.

Sorrentino's take on 'Simple' is fascinating. Here, a group of people assembled in a Health Resort, unfurl their stories over the duration of the film, in the way that life itself unfurls, revealing character, relationships, idiosyncrasies and vulnerabilities, in addition to one of the most affecting pieces of music I have ever heard, in one of the composer's (Michael Caine) 'Simple Songs', which he initially refuses to perform, due to it's links to his deceased wife and the pain he still feels in the loss of her, initially through debenture.The intimacy of the characterisation of his relationship with his daughter, is touching, as both struggle to cope, not only with their loss, but also the loss of joy and attachment to the world, and the personal insecurities, or withdrawal this has evoked for them.All the characters in the Swiss retreat are mourning something, including lost youth, with the exception of Paloma Faith, playing herself and unashamedly attached to living in the moment and therefore 'good in bed' with the former partner of the Rachel Weitz character, the daughter of the composer. The emotional intimacy between father and daughter is affecting, as is their sense of mutual and individual loss.The title 'Simple Songs', is not only a metaphor for the composer's music and a requested performance of this music by the Queen, no less, which he initially refuses to perform, but also for individual lives. In this resort, frequented only by the super rich in it's splendid Swiss setting, longings, desires and mourning unfurl, for each character, the only orgasmic release from tension observed in the woods, played out by an elderly couple, who, having, for some time, shown that they cannot even communicate verbally, as they sit in stilted silence at the dinner table, finally find they are able to shift what is blocking their intimacy. In a dramatic sexually orgasmic outpouring of pleasure, conducted against a tree, where no modesty is even considered, the long suppressed physical and emotional need for each other, is exposed, in the presence of an amazed , though appreciative audience of fellow residents. This is applauded and releasing in other ways to the onlookers.The final scene in which the 'Simple Songs' are played to the Queen and her entourage, is the most moving and magnificent ending to a flim, I have ever witnessed. The Soprano lives the music, enabling us to live with her. A joyous and affecting scene and one of the best endings to a film in my experience.The elderly couple's orgasmic release has freed up the composer too, who shares his emotive music, not only with the Queen, but with all of us, so that we are all able to feel the power of release of stultifying emotion: releasing the life force and, in his case, the ability to move on from the stultifying effects on him of his wife's death.I cannot praise Sorrentino enough. All his films evoke feelings in me , of the deepest sort, as he shows us what life is really all about, if we have the will to appreciate this. What he says to me, is that, we do need to mourn, be disappointed, angry, stuck, and so on, or the delights of pleasure would be reduced. Yet to stay in that position gratuitously, is to turn our backs on opportunity for the true , ordinary pleasures of life to enhance our existence. Amen to that!I love Sorrentino.

The other night I waisted just over two hours of my life watching this pretentious and mostly irritating film, Youth. I gave it my full concentration, hoping it would turn into something special but all it did was leave me baffled and not really knowing what I had just seen.The story follows a retired composer (Michael Caine) and a fading film director (Harvey Keitel) on some sort of strange vacation at a Swiss hotel which comes across as a cross between The Overlook and a weird swingers joint.There are far too many people wondering around in the buff for no reason and a very pointlessly arty shot (amongst many others) of an old guy standing in his hotel room with his chopper hanging out. That did it for me because anytime you see a mans knob in a film for any other reason than comedy you know you are in trouble. I mean can you think of decent plonker shot? Shame (crap film), Gone Girl (awesome film) The Colour Of Night (good film). All silly shots and the sight of a cock has no relevance? There is however a very tasty woman who plays Miss Universe in Youth who graces the screen totally naked which is definitely a Kleenex moment! Now that does have a point! I know I did!I wish I could tell you what Youth is about but I don't really know where to begin. Two old geezers reminiscing about the past and looking towards a short future? Life's regrets. Life's success? No, I'm still none the wiser so I suggest you read someone else's review. Don't get me wrong there are some gorgeous scenes, especially in St Marcs Square during a dream sequence.But in the end all Youth ends up being is a depressing and boring film which thinks it's something original and beautiful. I just can't understand where some of the comments about Youth have come from with descriptives such as "witty" and "hilarious". What? There are some good scenes and Michael Caine's performance is superb which is the only reason to watch this awkward film. Rather than being an arty over confident downer of a movie, it should have been a gorgeous looking funny and quirky comedy. Very disapointing because it could have been more like Michael Caine's Is Anybody There which is funny and actually has something to say.I even gave the making of Youth doc a try to hopefully make me understand it all a bit more but all that did was confirm just how much the film takes itself far too seriously. I would only recommend that you watch Youth if you are Michael Caine fan as I am because after all there loads of reasons why to watch movies: A fan of the actor maybe, interested in the subject perhaps or just enjoy watching a great performance. Well for me it was because Sir Michael Caine is a national treasure and because I just love watching him on screen.If you decide to give Youth a try then I suggest you either purchase the cheaper DVD or a used copy of the Bluray to save yourself a few quid. Then with the savings you can buy The Italian Job, Get Carter, The Man Who Would Be King and Harry Brown and spend the afternoon watching Caine's best.