42 Up

Released 1998
Directed by Michael Apted
Reviewed May 24, 2002

"42 Up" is the third installment (following 28 Up and 35 Up) that I've been able to see so far in the famous "Up" series. I'd love to watch the first three, but they're not available on tape or DVD. It's not necessary to see them all, however, since each film stands on its own. Each film builds portraits of the 14 original subjects by using clips from each of the prior films, and it's fascinating to watch the children grow into adolescence, adulthood, and now middle-age.

Each of the films has been outstanding to date, but "42" is the best (at least so far). It's the calmest of the series in that the majority of the subjects have reached an age where they're content. Almost everyone has reached a similar stage in life, and, generally speaking, the anxiety of their twenties and thirties has disappeared. It's been replaced by the acceptance of their level of success and the place life has taken them. It's a little sad, because it seems everyone has accepted that their personal dreams have either been realized or won't happen. On the bright side, however, their personal ambitions have been replaced by dreams for their children. Now it's time to watch their kids grow into young adulthood, with all of the potential they once had.

After watching the first few chapters of "42," I felt a melancholic wave wash over me. This installment of the series really gives you the sense of what life is; how there are certain rhythms and a blueprint that the vast majority of us follow. We have free will, but we all do pretty much the same thing within our own societal contexts. The difference is in the details, but the big picture is the same. The series started with children whose potential was only limited by their own abilities and their class. In America we don't have to deal with a rigid class structure, and I always felt anything I wanted was within my grasp. It's not true for these kids, however, as you see them go through their public or private schools to college or straight to the workforce. They reach a a crucial juncture at 21, and we watch their futures being mapped right before our eyes. There's a lot of confidence and some arrogance at that age, but also anxiety as some of the group finally realize what's lying ahead of them. Then the family stage begins with the new anxieties of becoming a provider and parent. In "42" we see all but a couple of people (Neil and Jackie) become established and content with their lives.

There are always anxieties in life, but it's surprising how they seem largely gone in "42." At this point, they mostly seem to revolve around marriages and children. It was interesting how the lower-income couples stressed throughout the series that marriage is a difficult institution that constantly needs to be worked on, but the upper-class couples didn't feel the need to stress this. It's not that those couples have perfect marriages or don't get divorced, but the pressure of money isn't there like it is for the others. My wife and I are both professionals, and we've been fortunate that money has never been an issue in our marriage. Neither of us is frivolous or extravagant, so we've never had to worry about money. I think it's one of the reasons we have a stress-free marriage, and I found it interesting to see how it played out in the series. I can imagine how stressful it would be to worry about stretching a paycheck or balancing priorities of purchases, and I'm sure it was a big contributor to the divorces in the series (Jackie and Symon to name a couple).

There are some big surprises in this installment. The biggest and happiest for me was what happened to Bruce, who's the kindest, most compassionate person of the lot. He's a school teacher who has gravitated to underprivileged kids throughout his career, even travelling to Bangladesh to teach. Over the years, we've seen Bruce be a little forlorn as he's been unable to meet a woman. On the DVD commentary, Michael Apted states he was concerned for Bruce, and he wondered if he may be gay and not realize it. Shortly before Michael was ready to start shooting "42," however, Bruce told him he was getting married. It was the first and only time Michael broke his rule of only filming in the seventh year, but he felt he had to get Bruce's wedding for the film. I'm glad he did, because it was the highlight for me. Bruce is such a good man, it would have been heartbreaking for him to not find happiness. He mentions that he may have met his wife too late to have children, but I wouldn't be surprised if they adopt in the future.

The other big surprise in the film also involved Bruce, but it was about Neil. After watching "35," my wife and I turned to each other and said there was no way Neil would live to 42. Bruce apparently had the same thought, because after watching "35," he contacted Neil and asked him to stay with him. He was able to help Neil get on his feet and make a big turnaround. It's obvious Neil's mentally ill, but Michael says in his commentary that he refuses to take medication. It's a shame, because he's borderline able to cope with society now, and I have to believe medication would move him within the realm of normalcy. The big surprise is not only that he's alive and that Bruce was the one to help him, but that he was elected to some type of local government in London. He's a representative! I don't know how he ever got elected with no funds whatsoever and his off-putting personality, but it probably happened through his tireless canvassing. If only he would allow himself to be treated, he would probably be able to hold down a paying job (his representative position doesn't pay). He'd probably also be able to forge personal relationships. Although he's better, his mental illness still prevents him from having friendships (other than Bruce), which means his life is still rather hollow and empty. At least now there's hope, though. He's turned a corner, and it will be interesting to see where his life leads in the next seven years.

I believe the "Up" series is one of the most sociologically significant uses of film to date, and it has the added bonus of being completely engrossing. It's a document of modern life, and it forces you to reflect upon your own life. I'll be 36 in a couple of weeks, and it was eerie to watch where I'll be in seven years. I'm just rolling into a mid-life crisis now, and this film showed me I'll probably have it sorted out in a few years. In "35" there were a handful of others who were beginning or in the middle of their own mid-life crises, and now I've seen the other side. Some of those who tried a career change succeeded, and some didn't. Those who didn't succeed were able to rebound and recover. "42" shows how life has a way of working itself out.

Reviewed by Bill Alward
May 24, 2002
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