Youth

'Youth' is like one of those slow release pills. At first you do not notice any impact but then over time the effects start to take hold.

The film's setting is a health and holiday type resort in the mountains of Switzerland. Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel are amongst the guests and although the resort seems at first to be a facility for the elderly there are guests and staff of all ages present.

The film is a series of images, carefully composed, embellished with music of many varieties although classical music dominates.

There is little action as such, although a plot develops eventually as pieces of information are revealed. There is a well concealed twist near the end.

This is bum numbing stuff, slow and overlong, but if you prefer deliberate style to action then this is a film for you.

The Director and Writer is Paolo Sorrentino who also directed and wrote 'The Great Beauty'; a film of very similar style.

★★★