In%20the%20rarefied%20surroundings%20of%20an%20exclusive%20Swiss%20spa,%20retired%20composer%20Fred%20Ballinger%20(Michael%20Caine)%20attempts%20to%20avoid%20performing%20for%20the%20Queen,%20while%20best%20friend%20Mick%20Boyle%20(Harvey%20Keitel)%20works%20tirelessly%20to%20revive%20his%20own%20career%20as%20a%20film%20director.%20**Youth%20**is%20the%20second%20English-language%20offering%20from%20Paolo%20Sorrentino%20(**The%20Great%20Beauty**?ar=16%3A9&fit=crop&crop=top&auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
The film swings between the sentimental and the surreal, with eloquent musings on the human condition oddly enhanced by a comedy cameo from Paloma Faith in a frenetic musical dream sequence. Like an arthouse Statler and Waldorf, Ballinger and Boyle wryly observe the oddities of their surroundings and ponder their past tragedies and triumphs.
“I thought how lucky I was to get a script from Paolo Sorrentino,” Caine said of the role written for him. “I was amazed he’d even heard of me.” When asked what he appreciated most about his character, he was amusingly succinct. “He’s still alive.”
“We had a good time together. It was a lot of fun,” said Keitel of working with Caine. “Michael is an actor that set a standard for young artists when he was young.” He also offered a little advice for young artists starting out today. “We need your stories. Give them to us. Any way you can.”
In addition to the two leads, Rachel Weisz charms as Ballinger’s frustrated daughter, and Paul Dano provides one of the film’s most memorable moments as actor Jimmy Tree, silencing the breakfast room in full costumed revelation of his next ill-judged role.
**Youth **also stars Jane Fonda and Alex Macqueen, and is released in the UK next January.
*Reporting by Toni Flatley, with thanks to Go Think Big and O2. For amazing work opportunities go to Go Think Big.co.uk. *