Youth [Blu-ray] [2016]

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.

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.

This didn’t quite live up to my extremely high expectations coming to it after The Great Beauty and Hand of God, which are two of the best films made in the past decade. This is visually striking with a strong premise but it just didn’t work like the others. The set pieces are there but it failed on the combination of script and Keitel and Caine in the lead roles. Perhaps it was originally written for Toni Servillo.

Can I start with the soundtrack. It's about music and film (sort of) so I guess that IS a place to start. The soundtrack begins with David Lang singing and the Trio Medieval playing Just, a marvellously understated piece that is entirely in keeping with the mood of the film itself. It includes Six Simple songs, supposedly composed by Michael Caine's character as well as some beautifully contrived 'found music' played by a piece of paper in Michael Caine's hand with accompaniment by birds and cows and the bells around cows' necks and it all works.The plot, such as it is, is minimal, but plot isn't the point. It's about two men in their eighties who have been friends for fifty years or so. Michael Caine is a retired composer and Harvey Keitel a film director who hasn't retired but really should have. There are little plots going on around them that are built and resolved. Some of them are dull, others everyday and others plain weird.I love it, regardless of this supposed issue. It's not an adventure but it's a beautiful film.

I dislike slow, arty, pretentious films, so why did I love this one? Perhaps it was partly the music and maybe it was the luminosity of the three leads, or maybe it was because there were so many striking images that just kept coming so that I could not get bored though I kept thinking I would do in a minute. There was a strangely intimate atmosphere, it wasn't superficial like most arty films. There was an underlying feeling of love. Relationships were so moving: father and daughter, man and masseuse, friend and friend, mentor and student.