Don't Believe the Hype

Boring, over-political, tech fuzed mess

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

This movie provides no closure. I don't mean it in the sense where they intentionally keep things open for you to interpret. The movie just collapsed under it's own premise. Stiller's impeccable though.

Intelligent comedy about a "lost" middle-aged couple trying to find "meaning" by connecting with a younger couple. But there's much more to this movie especially when we come across a storyline concerning what is fake or real in the media. The comedy is great too ("I didn't mean 'bless you' in the sneeze sense. In the Pope sense!") Both leads are wonderful and I'm not usually a Ben Stiller fan. In under 90 mins, the writer/director has made a tight movie that is smart and has real feeling. Only quibble? Overuse of the Baroque on the soundtrack but there's also Bowie, Lionel Richie, Paul McCartney & Wings, and lots of hip-hop! (viewed 4/17)

I am cautiously biased about hipsters. Biased in the sense that many of them are self-absorbed and over-idealistic. But, I must admit, I've had memorable, life-changing experiences with kind-spirited hipsters. The kind like Jamie and Darby. I've known them, I've met them. In high school, in college and in the workplace. Those that welcome you into their lives selflessly and show you what it means to live freely and enjoy all the different eccentricities of life.While We're Young is a film that is just as complimentary and critical about hipsters. Josh and Cornelia are sent on an enchanting journey. Through street beaches and homemade ice-cream pints, they find what it means to truly loosen up and try new things. That is until they find that they've been set so loose that Jamie is trying to get one over on them. I wouldn't call Jamie a villain and I'm not sure if Noah Baumbach would either. He is a complicated companion as one would be if you were to really let a total stranger into your heart as Josh does. Likely, they will do things that disappoint you. But While We're Young ponders much more about our own quality of life. Baumbach is searching for that rare balance between freedom and rigid order and showing us how it can be found.Needless to say, as laid back as this film is, it's deep and fascinating in all the right ways. I found myself on the verge of adoring everything about While We're Young.

'While We're Young' struck a chord with me. It's not the main characters that I could relate the most to but the supporting characters. Whichever character an audience member can identify with is because of While We're Young's tremendous script and directing talent. The person responsible for this highly detailed film about what it means to be human and alive is Noah Baumbach. Prepare yourself for some of the greatest ninety seven minutes put to film.'While We're Young' does not have a solid plot. But is centered around the relationships of characters and the interactions they have socially and on different forms of media. It is an extremely thought provoking film that is sure to open up much debate months after its release in cinemas. It is not a slow paced film and has much to say about the state of friendships, relationships and how the internet plays a big part in our everyday lives. Sometimes with us left unawares. The couple that we are first introduced to is Josh (a striking Ben Stiller) and Cornelia (an energetic Naomi Watts). They are nearing their fifties and cannot escape the feeling that there are events that they are missing out on. But as age takes its toll they feel they have missed out on their opportunity and are far too old to engage in activities that are adventurous, daring and fun. Josh is a university professor and in one of his classes Jamie (a wacky Adam Driver) and Darby (a hypnotising Amanda Seyfried) spontaneously appear. Josh and Cornelia feel energised by the twenty something couple. A fact that their friends take pleasure in mocking them about. "Nine years ago they couldn't vote".'While We're Young' is so engaging that you always feel the runtime could have been stretched to over two hours. But no matter. What Baumbach offers us here is more than enough to be overwhelmed by. I was frequently touched by the heart and soul of the film. This is achieved through exceedingly excellent performances, character development and great lines every other second. Baumbach is turning into the next Woody Allen. I could not be any happier.This brings me to the astonishing script. Normally it takes two or three people to bring a well realised script to the screen. This is not the case in 'While We're Young'. The Director is the only contributor to this Meta feat of a film. All of the characters feel like real people, to gain their entire back story would take three films or more to achieve. Josh and Cornelia are the polar opposite of Jamie and Darby who do any activity for the sheer fun of it. The script delicately shows the contrasts and comparisons to be had between each couple. I'm so grateful that the characters never felt fake. This is the type of drama and comedy that I cannot get enough of. This is destined to be the funniest film of the year by a long shot. Directors twice the age of Noah Baumbach could not dream up the glorious lines that he does here. This is a Director that is in touch with society and knows what is right and wrong with it.The cinematography simply put is splendid. Sam Levy has worked previously with Noah Baumbach on 'Frances Ha'. Levy outdoes himself here, lending 'While We're Young' a whimsical feel hitting the right tone for the themes of the film. It is simple whilst effective. The composure of the shots is breath-taking. You just have to see this film if you consider yourself a supporter of art as well as entertainment for cinema.The music composed by James Murphy is beautiful and contributes largely to the effect that 'While We're Young' is bound to have on its audience. The best thing though is the inclusion of eighties hits such as All Night Long and Eye of the Tiger. This allows for further connection between Josh and Jamie through the power of music. As Josh says "I remember when this song was just considered bad". This will bring nostalgia to many older audience members and I for one am glad of this inclusion.'While We're Young' is the perfect example of when a Director is working in complete harmony with his out of this world cast; featuring well realised characters, an engaging story, a smart, punchy script, amazing cinematography and nostalgic tracks from the eighties. 'While We're Young' is a must see experience for viewers both young and old.