Movie-28 Up

This remarkable documentary movie series continues with 28 Up. We now meet these people who we first met at 7 years of age, and re-met every 7 years at 28 years old. They are in the midst of life...career (or job at least) marriage, kids.

Suzy, Who was so pampered in youth, and yet so emotionally damaged at 21 when we last met her is now happy! Something you would not really have imagined for her. Tony is remarkably the same at 28 as he was 7, exuberant, knowing who he is and what makes him happy. And Neil...at 7 so bright eyed. At 14, already looking like life was starting to worry him, at 21, dropped out of college, a day laborer and depressed, and at 28, homeless, a wanderer, eking out a living as he can, still with an optimism that hearkens to his 7 year old self, though he admits to times of mental illness.

The Jesuit saying, give me the boy at 7 and I will show you the man, is the guiding force of the series, and Michael Apted once again delivers us into the lives of these people, now 12 people as 2 declined to be a part of this film. This is a sociological treasure trove...not only talking about these people's lives, but the world around them. The classes in England slowly blurring, the technology of the modern era emerging. So many things to watch for in these films.

Roger Ebert lists this series as one of the ten best films of all time, and one of the noblest uses of the film medium ever used. I cannot say I disagree with either assertion.

35 Up is next. They will be of an age to start feeling the effects of cynicism perhaps, of disillusionment. Of the idea that not everything turns out right or according to plan. How will they react. I will see soon.