Although it might not be readily apparent to those who only know Michael Apted as the director of The World Is Not Enough, Michael Apted is in reality a skilled and experienced director. Here, Apted returns to his famous documentary series, in which he has followed London children from age 7 onward, returning every 7 years to chronicle where they are currently in their lives. Suffice it to say that even the world's worst filmmaker couldn't remove the inevitable fascination such a project automatically generates interest in anyone interested in either documentaries about people or the differences between the London social classes. This time around (as the title indicates) the subjects are 42 years old, and we find them settling down. They seem to be doing fine for the most part, as even the formerly homeless subject gets a job - albeit a low paying local government job. Yet the movie needs a more ruthless editor- 42 Up is 139 minutes long. It'll interest you, but you'll keep looking at your watch.
