Movie Review: Youth (+trailer)

Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel star in Youth.

This is a charming tale with a twist about two 80-something lifelong friends on their annual holiday to a five-star resort in the Swiss Alps.

The film's location and exquisite eye of Italian director Paolo Sorrentino, in just his second English language film, ensures a beautiful canvas to showcase the talents of the stellar cast.

Sir Michael Caine at 82 gives a memorable performance as Fred Ballinger, a retired famed composer of classical music, alongside Harvey Keitel, who plays filmmaker Mick Boyle working with young writers to produce his one final testament.

Caine is approached by Queen Elizabeth's emissary to perform his most famous work Simple Songs for Prince Philip's birthday, but he refuses for personal reasons which become increasingly clear.

Rachel Weisz plays Fred's daughter Lena, and Paul Dano as lost actor Jimmy Tree almost steals the show when he turns up for breakfast dressed as Adolf Hitler. Jane Fonda has a late cameo as a fading screen actress who breaks Keitel's heart.

In a bizarre piece of casting, a grossly obese Diego Maradona plays himself in a sorry caricature of the once greatest footballer on earth. Miss Universe is another unexpected extra and her naked entrance into a hot spa in front of the goggled-eyed Caine and Keitel is a highlight.

Caine says the scene was unscripted. "Well that's the best acting you've ever seen on our faces because that's absolute reality," he quipped at the film's UK premiere.

There are plenty of twists to keep the plot going but always the emphasis is on the relationship between Caine and Keitel.

"You say emotion is overrated. Emotion is all we've got," Keitel says in his final line.

Youth is showing at Rialto Tauranga.

Youth (M)
Directed by Paolo Sorrentino