‘Up’ series still fascinates
Published 9:00 pm Thursday, October 12, 2006
What began in the mid-1960s as a British TV special continues today as one of the most remarkable documentary projects in cinema. “49 Up” is the newest update on a group of people who were first filmed at the age of seven.
Since then, every seven years, director Michael Apted (who was a young researcher on the first TV show) revisits this group, filming their lives and tracking their progress. There are some surprises in this new installment.
If you’re a devoted fan of the series – and once you’re hooked, you’re hooked – you’ll see much that you’ve seen before. Apted always includes footage from the past films, to show how each person was at 7, 14, 28, etc. Now that there are so many years to cover, “49 Up” feels more rushed than past episodes, which is a shame, given the marvelous footage in the old shows.
The original idea had a strong class-conscious thrust to it: the contrast between privileged little twits and working-class kids was pronounced. That angle has ebbed a bit, as the realities of family, children and illness settle into everybody’s lives, rich or poor.
Tony, the knockabout jockey who became a London cab driver, has stuck with his wife and now lives partly in Spain. He comes across as lovable when singing the praises of family life, less lovable when he rants about outsiders taking over England. (He doesn’t seem aware that he’s an outsider settling in Spain, but whatever.)
Bruce, the teacher who worked with underprivileged kids, is now in a cushy job at an upper-class school, something he discusses thoughtfully. For Nick, the scientist who settled in America, even bigger changes are afoot.
And of course there is Neil, the most compelling figure, who was wandering homeless through Scotland in his 30s but has now found some relief in low-level politics.
Some of the best exchanges, in a film that seems quieter and, well, older than previous installments, come between Jackie and offscreen interviewer Apted. She irritably responds to an intrusive statement by questioning whether he understands the toll of the “Up” series. This is a note sounded by several people, and one participant announces she will bow out after this one.
I hope she doesn’t. If you’re a fan, you’re wondering about the people who have dropped out over the years, and sociological fascination of the thing is immense.
And yet, for the first time watching this series I had the feeling of wanting to leave these people alone. Clearly, most of them are burdened by having their lives exposed in public every seven years. Still, I’ll be watching at 56.
