Director Michael Apted revisits the same group of British-born adults after a 7 year wait. The subjects are interviewed as to the changes that have occurred in their lives during the last seven years.
The grand, class-society-embracing conception of this film has become too rich for its narrow stylistic confines.
– Peter Rainer,
New York Magazine/Vulture,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
As beneficial as helmer's influence may be to that aging franchise, his work here reps a fascinating use of the docu form.
– Eddie Cockrell,
Variety,
21 Jan 2003
fresh:
One of the best movie series ever is a true-life drama like no other. Miss it at your peril.
– Louis B. Parks,
Houston Chronicle,
21 Jul 2005
fresh:
On some level, 42 Up is a startling home-movie time capsule. Simply to behold the aging process with such intimacy is enough to give you a shudder.
– Owen Gleiberman,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep 2011
rotten:
Their largely negative or only superficially positive responses make me feel guilty about finding the series so fascinating -- and should make the filmmakers feel even guiltier.