Last night I saw the documentary 56 Up.
Since 1963, director Michael Apted has followed the lives of a group of British school children every seven years.
It was considered a ground-breaking feat in its first few incarnations; now it's nothing short of a miracle that most of the players are still around and willing to participate, and the director (now in his 70s) is as sharp as ever with his questioning.
It's difficult to review this film without spoiling it, but I will say some of the marriages remain in tact; one of the characters who previously dropped out returns to promote his band; many of the subjects are experiencing the sorrows that come with being older (loss of family, etc.) and some are still completely nutters.
I enjoyed this version immensely, just as I've enjoyed all the rest.
I can only hope that 63 Up includes as many updates and insights into this fascinating group of people.
~~~
Showing posts with label Michael Apted. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michael Apted. Show all posts
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Amazing Grace
Tonight I attended a screening of Amazing Grace, starring Ioan Gruffudd.
What's really amazing is that I didn't fall asleep.
I mean no disrespect to the director (Michael Apted) or the story, which details the obstacles that William Wilberforce faced as he fought British Parlaiment to abolish slavery.
But my God, was this boring.
The film shows William's relentless quest to alter the opinions of crochety old Brits (with the help of a freed slave), explains how he fell in love with his like-minded wife, and shows us how sick he got along the way.
It hardly does the famed leader justice.
The real man who lived from 1759 to 1833 fought not only for the abolishment of slavery but also for child labor laws, education for folks with disabilities (such as deafness), and even for animal rights. He was extraordinary and unique.
In the film, he's merely a handsome good guy to root for.
I could've done without the countless pretentious speeches and seen more of the adversity. The courtroom scenes weren't as nailbiting as I suppose they were in real-life and the love story between him and his wife was barely fleshed out. And the two times the title hymn is sung in the film didn't evoke the goosebumps I expected it to.
Incredibly disappointing all around.
What's really amazing is that I didn't fall asleep.
I mean no disrespect to the director (Michael Apted) or the story, which details the obstacles that William Wilberforce faced as he fought British Parlaiment to abolish slavery.
But my God, was this boring.
The film shows William's relentless quest to alter the opinions of crochety old Brits (with the help of a freed slave), explains how he fell in love with his like-minded wife, and shows us how sick he got along the way.
It hardly does the famed leader justice.
The real man who lived from 1759 to 1833 fought not only for the abolishment of slavery but also for child labor laws, education for folks with disabilities (such as deafness), and even for animal rights. He was extraordinary and unique.
In the film, he's merely a handsome good guy to root for.
I could've done without the countless pretentious speeches and seen more of the adversity. The courtroom scenes weren't as nailbiting as I suppose they were in real-life and the love story between him and his wife was barely fleshed out. And the two times the title hymn is sung in the film didn't evoke the goosebumps I expected it to.
Incredibly disappointing all around.
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