49 Up
The latest (and possibly final) installment of Michael Apted’s “Up” series that began in 1964 when Granada Television interviewed fourteen seven-year-old children to get their views on life. Apted then returned to do more interviews every seven years. They are now 49 years old.
This is the most interesting one in a long time although it’s hard to say exactly why. Perhaps it’s because, at 49, the participants are all now clear about the direction of their lives and content with it. This one also seems to have much more about the relationship between Apted and the interviewees than the previous, or at least it’s overt in this one. Some of the conversation revolves around the effect the films have had on the participants, and Jackie pretty much less Apted have it with both barrels.
I’m still undecided about whether this series actually says anything. I think I may agree with John (the barrister who dropped out for a couple of the films) when he says “it’s interesting in a ‘Big Brother‘ or ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here‘ sort of way, but it doesn’t really show anything of significance; just who gets fat and who loses their hair.” On the other hand, Roger Ebert, in a DVD extra interview with Apted, claims that this is the most “noble use of film” he’s ever experience. (That interview gets almost creepy.) That goes too far the other way. But there must be some middle ground between sainthood and MTV Real World.
Two of the fourteen have not participated for several years: Charles from 21, and Peter from 28. I find it a bit puzzling why Peter is never mentioned at all, not even archive footage. From the Director’s Commentary track ‘42 Up’, it’s clear why he no longer participates (it’s still unclear why Charles does not participate), but Charles is always mentioned and a line in the film says he declines to participate. Peter, on the other hand, is virtually expunged. He’s shown in a couple of the clips (sitting next to Neil at 7 and riding his bike with Neil at 14), but his name is never mentioned, not even to say he declines to participate.
It’s unclear whether there will be a 56 Up, I suppose we’ll have to wait and see. Roger Ebert wants it to continue “forever”. I disagree with that because the film now is as much about Apted’s relationship with the subjects as it is about the subjects themselves. Apted is 15 years older than the group, which means he would be over 70 for the next one, and that should probably be the end. I do think he should try to do one more, though and interview them on the eve of retirement.
