Film Preview: Youth (2015)

Page Revisions:

(September 6, 2015) Original
(November 29, 2015) New Posters (#3-#7)

Release Date:

December 4, 2015

Synopsis:

From IMDb: “Fred and Mick, two old friends, are on vacation in an elegant hotel at the foot of the Alps. Fred, a composer and conductor, is now retired. Mick, a film director, is still working. They look with curiosity and tenderness on their children’s confused lives, Mick’s enthusiastic young writers, and the other hotel guests. While Mick scrambles to finish the screenplay for what he imagines will be his last important film, Fred has no intention of resuming his musical career. But someone wants at all costs to hear him conduct again.”

Poster Rating: B- / B / C (5)

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Review: (#1) A suggestive design that plays into stereotypes about elderly men whether true or not. It doesn’t add much to the sale of the film, but might intrigue passers-by. (#2) This is a more eclectic design that speaks better to director Sorrentino’s sensibilities, which may be why its artistically pristine. However, it doesn’t look like the kind of design that people jump at for a chance to watch the film it represents.

(#3-#7) A series of five characters posters that are as different as night and day, but still feel connected. It creates an interesting design dynamic even if they aren’t entirely memorable.

Trailer Rating: B+

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Review: The lyrical beauty of the trailer helps sell it to those who are fans of the artistic medium of film. For regular audiences, it may be the familiar faces that give it resonance. Either way, this could easily be a sleeper hit among the right crowds.

Oscar Prospects:

Paulo Sorrentino is an incredibly well respected filmmaker, but the Academy has never genuinely taken notice. This could be their opportunity. With a cast like Oscar winners Michael Caine, Rachel Weisz and Jane Fonda, and Oscar nominee Harvey Keitel on board, you have potential. The film must appeal broadly, though. If it’s too esoteric, the Academy’s voters might not respond well.