"A-" Rating by Robert W. Hammerle

"Young@Heart" is a treasure that is a truly "moving" picture. Furthermore, this movie is a lovable ode to moviegoers everywhere. It is a sweet meditation on what it means to be alive.

Though "Young@Heart" starts somewhat slowly, it gradually blossoms into a movie that is peaceful, dignified and inspiring. It is a testament to the human spirit. I haven't shed so many unapologetic tears of joy in a theater in my entire life. And I am a self-confessed emotional sap, so that is saying something.

This is a documentary about a seemingly ordinary group of men and women in their seventies, eighties and nineties who form a chorus that sings rock music. Singing everything from Sonic Youth's "Schizophrenia" to Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark" to James Brown's "I Feel Good," they display a youthful exuberance that defines the human condition. My God what a lovely film.

The grace with which they meet the mortality of some of their friends and singers is magical. In particular, I have seldom seen anything as poignant as the outdoor concert they held for prison inmates at a correctional facility in Massachusetts. The look on the inmates' faces as they watched their elderly entertainers perform leaves an indelible mark on your heart.

While it would be unfair to single out one performer over the group, mention has to be made of the wonderful Fred Nettles. Eighty-three years old and suffering from congenital heart failure, he is coaxed out of retirement to perform one last time with the chorus. Walking only with assistance and carrying his bottle of oxygen, his captivating solo is a mesmerizing piece of cinema.

While I am sure that "Young@Heart" will attract overwhelmingly older audiences, it would be a tragedy for young people not to experience its joys. This film is an ultimate reminder that while none of us will escape the clutches of death, life is to be enthusiastically embraced every step of the way. Sing your hearts out, folks.