49-Up
The latest and possibly last of the monumental study of human growth that began in 1964 with Seven-Up! I wrote an extensive essay about the series, which you may read if you wish, so I won’t repeat any of my raves here, merely update.
… and there’s not a lot of updating to do. The years between 42 and 49, barring catastrophe or a full-blown mid-life crisis, are usually not years of great change. You’re formed by 42, and by 49 you haven’t yet entered fully into the agonies of aging. The biggest event in most people’s lives in these years is the arrival of grandchildren. If they ever do a 56-Up I’d expect to see some more radical changes as you realize that the Big Six Oh is not far away, and you’ll soon be old!
There are spoilers ahead, but none of it will surprise you too much.
Tony: The would-be jockey and long-time cab driver now has a second home in Spain, and laments that England and the East End ain’t what it used to be. By he means all the Pakis and other non-white elements. He plans to pack it in and leave England completely, as this corner of Spain is “99% British.”
Suzy: No change except, like almost everyone else, there are grandchildren. She and Rupert are still together, still profess to be in love, and she still finds the whole Up business a horrible burden which she feels a duty to fulfill. In fact, all the upper class kids dislike being in the series, and all the lower-class kids seem to enjoy it. At least none of them complain. Not surprising.
Nick: Divorced, with a new companion. Misses England badly.
Symon: Doing okay. Thinks that if he’d applied himself at school he might have been more successful, but doesn’t seem to mind too much. You never know for sure, of course, any of these people could be putting up a front.
Paul: Not much has changed. The producers bring him from Australia to England again for a brief reunion with Symon, the other “workhouse” boy.
Jackie: One of the East End girls. Still plugging away, and a bit hostile to Michael Apted when he questions her happiness. But she always stood up for herself, though she often sounds a bit defensive about it.
Lynn: Still a librarian, working with retarded kids. She gets emotional and asks that the camera be turned off at one point.
Sue: Basically, no changes. She’s still the prettiest of the bunch, though she’s put on some weight. Later: Okay, Lee reminded me, Sue had been a single mum and now she’s found a new man and they seem very happy with their children, and a little dog that likes to watch “Animal Hospital” on the telly. No kidding. He hears the theme music and comes tearing down the stairs and sits right in front, watching every minute.
John: Still snotty after all these years. Does good charity work, but is appalled at the state Britain has fallen into. Well, he’s not the only one, but different people have different reasons to think that.
Andrew: Left his law firm, and seems happy about it.
Charles: The absent documentarian, still absent.
Bruce: Has stopped teaching in the inner city and now teaches at an exclusive school. Big surprise. I suspect a case of burn-out. Another significant change: Bruce and his wife have two cute little boys!
Peter: Hasn’t come back since 28, when he was badly burned by something he said, I believe it might have been about the crusty old bitch Mrs. Thatcher. I don’t expect to see him again.
Neil: The one who lives on the edge of madness. He’s left London and moved to the Northwest, which I know nothing about. Still living in a Council flat, running for another office with chances of winning slim to none. At least it keeps him busy.
Michael Apted is now 65. He could certainly do another when he’s 72 … but is it worth it? I really don’t know, but I’m so glad we’ve come this far. We’ll have to wait and see.