After having watched the entire Up Series, from 7 to 42, I feel hooked. Each film leaves you wondering what physical transformations and lifestyle changes could have possibly occurred during the time between interviews. Watching the first six films back to back is almost like episodic reality television. People get fatter, lines start appearing on their faces and their hair slowly start going gray. But the instant gratification of watching 14 lives in fast forward doesn’t belittle the importance of Michael Apted’s groundbreaking documentary series. And now, having just watched 49 Up, the latest film in the series, I’ve realized that I’m all caught up and have another seven years until the next installment in this amazing project.

49 pretty much follows the same structure as the previous films. We’re re-introduced to each character through the use of archival footage from 7 Up on, and then catch up with their current lives in brand new interviews. As with the previous films, we start off with Tony. Previously in 42 Up, Tony had discussed some marital issues after having been unfaithful to his wife, but all seems to be forgiven and forgotten. Tony is still happily married and seems to have gotten past any past temptations. Out of all of the subjects in this series, I think I was most surprised by how Tony turned out. In the early films he was sweet but aggressive and seemed the most likely to get himself into trouble. Even Apted himself has admitted that he had predicted a possible life of crime for young Tony. Interestingly enough, Apted seems to play a larger role in this film then ever before. During Jackie’s interview, she becomes borderline hostel with Apted, citing a certain line of questioning from one of the previous films that had put her off. She simply isn’t willing to discuss her personal life on camera and accuses Apted of editing his footage how he likes. Any other film and this sort of response would seem shocking, but Apted has been such a huge part of these people’s lives for so long that such a spat is comparable to an argument between extended family members.

One prediction of Apted’s that did in fact come true was Nick’s divorce from his wife Jackie. In 28 Up, you could sense something strange between the two. The line of questioning seemed to carry them into a specific direction, with Jackie proclaiming that you never know how long things will last. After receiving some criticism and feeling as though Apted mis-represented her, Jackie bowed out of the subsequent films. Nick is now married to a professor at the University of Minnesota. I was very happy to see the return of John in this film, probably one of the most stuck up and obnoxious of the kids in the original 7 Up . After having only appeared in 35 Up at the request of being interviewed by anyone EXEPT Apted, John continues to impress with his intelligence and surprising good nature. And then of course there’s Neil. His story took a sad turn from 21 Up on as he found himself homeless and battling with untreated mental illness. In 42 Up, it seemed as though Neil was slowly deteriorating. Fortunately, Neil has experienced one of the bigger changes this time around. Although he’s still living off of government support, he now has his own modest home and is still heavily involved in the politics as a Liberal Democrat. He even has his own car. He presents himself much more clearly in his interviews and seems to have a generally positive outlook towards the future.

49 Up is the first film of the series shot on high definition video, and I must say it looks great. George Turner’s cinematography reaches new levels, successfully combining his footage from 21 Up and on with this slick new format. The unimaginable challenge of editing 6 films worth of interviews with 14 subjects not only met, but surpasses the conventions of the previous films. The inter-cutting of past interviews is tighter, to the point and at points flows poetically with the new footage like never before.

So now it’s time to play the waiting game. If there is a 56 Up, I’ll be 34 by the time it’s completed. It’ll be tough to wait it out, but at least now I’ll be able to experience the films in the way they were intended, as a gradual work that grows along with its viewer. 49 Up is a strong installment in what has become a staple of English television for the last 49 years, and a newfound seven year tradition that I can now take part in for as long as this series continues.

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