Youth (Italian: Youth – La giovinezza) is a 2015 comedy-drama film written and directed by Paolo Sorrentino. It stars Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel as best friends who reflect on their lives while holidaying in the Swiss Alps. The story depicts the struggle between age and youth, the past and the future, life and death, and commitment and betrayal. The cast also includes Rachel Weisz, Paul Dano, and Jane Fonda.
The film premiered at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, where it competed for the Palme d'Or and had a positive critical response. At the 28th European Film Awards, Youth won Best Film, Best Director for Sorrentino, and Best Actor for Caine. It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song, for David Lang's composition of "Simple Song #3". At the Golden Globe Awards, Lang was also nominated along with Fonda for Best Supporting Actress.
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Plot
Septuagenarian best friends Fred Ballinger and Mick Boyle are on vacation in the Swiss Alps, staying at a luxury spa/resort in Flims. Fred is a retired composer of classical music; at the hotel, he is approached by an emissary for Queen Elizabeth II, conferring a knighthood and asking him to perform his popular piece "Simple Song #3" at Prince Philip's birthday concert. Fred turns down the offer, claiming he is no longer interested in performing—although he still composes pieces in his head when alone. Mick is a film director, and is working with a group of writers to develop the screenplay for his latest film, which he calls his "testament". Also with them is actor Jimmy Tree, who is researching for an upcoming role and frustrated that he is only remembered for his role as a robot. The hotel is inhabited by other quirky individuals, including a young masseuse, an overweight Diego Maradona, and Miss Universe.
