56 Up
(2012/First Run Features DVD)
Picture:
C Sound: C Extras: C- Documentary: C+
In 1964,
a group of seven year olds from all over England were interviewed and filmed
every seven years to see how they progressed in life. As they interview them they talk about their
current situations, their thoughts, ideas and dreams of their future. Now they are 56, almost half of a century
later, did things go they way they planned? They look back over the years and wonder about
how they came where they are now in Michael Apted’s 56 Up (2012).
First Run
Features has issued all the films to date, plus a spin-off, so if you are
unfamiliar with the series, here are links to the original documentary films:
The Up Series (runs to 42 Up)
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/1586/Up+Series+(Documentary
49 Up
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/4411/49+Up+(Documentary
21 Up South Africa – Mandela’s Children
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/7302/21+Up+South+Africa+%E2%80%93
In
layman's terms was a long term social experiment, one to see human personality
development. What stays same over the
years and what changes? In general,
either the people are changed by their surroundings or they change themselves. For those who are generally more positive and
social, end up with better relationships and jobs, for those more reclusive
they end up less successful and have a more negative outlook on life. While the film has little influence in their
lives, this film give high validity to the behavior of nature vs. nurture of
human personalities. You could see how
they change or didn't change, how reality tempered their lives, and how such
traits were then passed on to the next generation.
This
installment (not having seen all of them) I would recommend for those interested
in psychological development or social growth. It is a series of interviews of the growth of
person's life, their spouse, their family, friends or lack there of, as were
the previous installments. In all, it
only validates how childhood thoughts, personalities are important influences
to the growth and maturity into adulthood.
It may not be great, but maybe one should see the earlier installments
in order first.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image is shot on video and can be soft, while
the lossy Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo is simple and has some location audio
issues. Extras include interviews, photo
galleries, and filmmaker’s bio.
- Ricky Chiang
