The movie reflects its time, showing the Sinatra character as the outsider/rebel, through a slight messing of his hair (toupe) and a loosened tie, reflecting the still uptight society. It took so little to define an outcast.

The music is great although the song he keeps trying to write is not as good as it should have been given the buildup. The title song, Young At Heart, is a better one, although it does not seem to fit the story which heads down a forlorn path until the happy ending saves it. Sinatra shows the inner sadness and self-destructive nature of those of us who are self-involved and neurotic. Funny too is how the only goal for Sinatra's character is to write a hit tune; nothing else will do.

Doris is absolutely adorable and so desirable that you almost feel she is too good for Frank, although Gig Young plays such a likeable, charming jerk that you do eventually get why she might like the more interesting Sinatra.

The three sisters are a hoot, (although they appear too old to be living at home with Dad) all seeking marriage as their only hope in this world, and competing with each other very subtley while trying to love one another; very 50's.

And what more can we say about one of the great Barrymore's, Ethyl. She is so good and on target without going for the obvious choices. Certainly she deserved a better role at this time of her career, but no bitterness shows through. She is a pro. Not sure where this fell in terms of her eventual demise, but she looks quite aged here, so it may have been among her last films. Obviously, I love this film.

Bittersweet musical...
Review date: 2004-03-04 Rating: 8 out of 10

Doris Day is one of three musical sisters born to a musical father, Frank Sinatra is a piano player with a chip on his shoulder who turns up at the house to help arrange his friend's songs. She befriends him and two sides of a love triangle are formed.

This is one of those musicals where the songs occur naturally in the plot because the main characters are musicians and sitting at the piano rather than just bursting into song accompanied by an invisible orchestra. The songs are superb and well executed - especially by Sinatra - but you would expect that, what you might not expect is the plot which starts off quite light and fluffy but proceeds to deal with complicated relationships and turns rather dark in the latter part. In my opinion it is all the better a film for this unexpected turn but it might not suit everyone.

a little gem
Review date: 2001-05-23 Rating: 10 out of 10

If you like feel good movies then you'll love this - but it does have bite. Sinatra plays a down at heel, down on his luck piano player who comes across Doris Day and makes a play for her, despite her going with his best friend. She falls in love(who wouldn't?) and yet there is more to come that makes you want to keep watching. With a lovely score and some great standards(in particular, Just One of Those Things), this is a movie that you will reach to time and time again. I do.

One of my all time favourite films
Review date: 2000-12-08 Rating: 10 out of 10

I love this film, everytime I watch it, it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. Yes, I know that is totally soppy, but it's true.

I always forget how fantastic Doris Day was and teaming her up with Frank Sinatra was a stroke of genius.

If you haven't seen this film you have to get your hands on a copy and make it part of your collection. You won't regret it.

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