Who doesn’t love Michael Caine? Can you ever get enough of him? I know I can’t. And thanks to writer/director Paolo Sorrentino, Caine is front and center along with Harvey Keitel, in YOUTH. A unique examination and contemplation of life and age, which is uniquely told with some random abandon but filled with a delicious dark, yet at times, quirky humor. An extremely intelligent film both in script and concept, Sorrentino soars with his visual metaphor and dichotomous juxtapositioning throughout the film.
Fred Ballinger has spent more than 20 years taking annual respite at a Swiss resort spa. Looking more like a throwback to the health spas for the European elite in the 30’s and 40’s, there is a comfortable ease to the resort that Fred seems to cherish. Is it the memories it holds of days gone by or something more? A world renowned composer and symphony conductor, Fred has long retired. Still sought after for his memoirs, which he refuses to write, his daughter Lena is his “manager.” However, it’s not difficult to see the strained relationship between father and daughter, the reasons for which carefully unfold as the film progresses. But it’s not just his memoirs people seek. The Queen wants “a command performance” of Fred conducting his most famous composition, “Simple Songs”, at a ceremony for Prince Philip. A Buckingham Palace emissary appears at the spa begging for Fred’s agreement, in exchange for a knighthood, of course. Fred refuses “for personal reasons” he won’t disclose.
Also at the spa is Fred’s oldest friend and relative-in-law, Mick Boyle. A filmmaker who doesn’t believe he’s past his prime, Mick has surrounded himself with a group of young wannabees to finish writing and develop what Mick describes as what will be his “testament” to the world, a film entitled “Life’s Last Day.” And as for the relative part, Fred’s daughter Lena is married to Mick’s son Julian, that is until Julian leaves Lena for pop star Paloma Faith, adding Lena to the resort spa guest list.
Other interesting spa guests abound, including the very cerebral actor Jimmy Tree (think Johnny Depp meets James Franco) who spends his time observing and intellectualizing others. Fascinating character to watch. Also populating the spa is a very obese former soccer star tattooed with Karl Marx on his back and wearing an oversized Jesus pendant on his front, a young masseuse whose hands “speak” to Fred akin to notes of a composition, and nightly entertainment harkens to elegant vaudeville theatre-in-the-round. And then there’s an appearance by aging Hollywood star Brenda Morel, a former love and leading lady of Mick’s life and career.
Through it all, Fred and Mick marvel at the absurdity of it all with well worn patter of enlightening chit chat, telling pauses and silences and reflection on a life well lived versus a life yet to live. And then there are two powerful monologues, one from Lena and one from Brenda, that reveal more about life in their combined ten minutes than Mick or Fred have ever considered. Sentiment abounds for lives, and loves, lost.
As Fred and Mick, Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel are at the top of their game. Caine knocks it out of the part with subdued subtlety while Keitel has a clinging desperate lust for life that is almost envious, while at the same time very sad. Rachel Weisz really bites into the character of Lena and allows us to see a glorious emerging of a woman, like a butterfly spreading its wings for the first time. The emotion she infuses into Lena is raw, visceral and heartbreaking both as a dumped wife and oft-deserted daughter. Her mud room monologue alone is enough to warrant Academy attention for supporting actress.
Speaking of Oscar, someone shine a bright light on Jane Fonda who, in two brief scenes, captures and conveys every myth, legend and truth of Hollywood and life. I was spellbound, unblinking during her rant with Keitel. And not to be overlooked is another indelible turn this year from Paul Dano; this time as the “Johnny Depp-esque” observational take as Jimmy Tree.
Sorrentino’s visual design and the setting is beyond impressive; a gorgeous visual metaphor for life, endless to the sky yet limited by the mountains themselves. Particularly telling is the funicular snow scene with Keitel’s Mick and his minion writers. Nighttime performance pieces are an oddity, adding that charming touch of quirkiness – which, by the way, fits with the old world immersion of this “spa” (clearly a sanatorium in earlier decades).
Pacing may seem at times a bit slow, but the visuals and the characters with their unfolding stories are riveting and even if you feel time lag a bit (as in life), it is impossible to look away. There are some big reveals that come as shocks.
Not to be missed are some exquisite dream sequences of Caine’s Fred, as well as a climactic performance by the world renowned lyric coloratura soprano Sumi Jo who appears as herself singing David Lang’s hauntingly beautiful “Simple Songs”, a key within the film’s construct and Fred’s storyline.
There is a simplicity about YOUTH that is touching, reflective, sentimental. YOUTH can be a “simple song”. It’s age that gets complicated.
Written and Directed by Paolo Sorrentino
Cast: Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, Jane Fonda, Rachel Weisz, Paul Dano
