14 Up in America (1998 TV Movie) User Reviews

Simple concept makes for absorbing documentary.

[Hermit C-2 · 8/10 · 12 September 1999]

This film uses the format of the successful documentary series of Michael Apted's in which a group of children are filmed and interviewed at age seven, then returned to every seven years to see how their lives and personalities have developed. Over in Great Britain the series has followed its original subjects to age 42.

It's a sure-fire concept for an absorbing film series. As stated by the narrator/director Phil Joanou, the idea is to see how much a person changes in their life, if the blueprint for the man or woman is actually set at a young age. What are the answers? Yes, no, and draw your own conclusions. Whatever you decide it is fascinating to watch the juxtaposition of the children and the adolescents they've become. Tune in again in 2005.

Helped This Teacher

[bill-461 · 9/10 · 14 July 2000]

I stumbled on a wonderful documentary called 14 up in America.

What a beautiful film. Simply amazing, yet real, kids. I was reminded of how much I had loved getting to know Arthur Agee and William Gates in Hoop Dreams and what good kids I thought they were as they grew older. I'm a teacher and every day I come into contact with about 150 students. I teach 5 classes of about 30 kids each. As I watched 14 up I realized how deep the feelings run and the basic goodness that seems to be implanted in every child regardless of race, religion or economic background. As seven year olds, every one of these kids seemed to have been started out on the right path and all had hopes of a good life and an innocent belief in our ability as adults to help them make it happen. As they age, some lose their trust in adults and question their own ability to navigate life on their own. Others display a false sense of bravado and even conceit in some cases. But none of these kids seem to have it all worked out. They simply push forward. One of my biggest problems as a teacher has been my inability to get past the "front," that kids display every day for the sake of their friends and to simply get by at school. It's hard to break through this mask in the first place and even tougher when you are trying to do your best for the class as a whole. I tend (out of laziness, I guess,) to gravitate toward kids who are more open with their feelings (I teach writing by the way,) and generally regard sullen or cool acting kids as kids who really don't want to be there and who should have taken another elective. While I've always been one to seek out and befriend a clearly troubled student, I've (sad to say,) disregarded the kid who just doesn't have that much to say. I'm very happy that Mr. Joanou knows more about how to deal with that kind of a kid than I do. I think I've learned a valuable lesson and a movie like this makes me motivated to teach. If you love kids, or you've adopted the ridiculous notion that kids today aren't as thoughtful, or don't care as much

where can I find this film

[ctpiano · 30 January 2006]

does anyone have a copy or know where i can find a copy of 14 up in America? age 7 in America was one of my all time favorite films. My family and I still find ourselves quoting lines from the kids almost daily after all these years. I somehow missed 14 up in America when it aired on HBO in 1998, not having HBO at the time and am so disappointed. I had been eagerly awaiting the 7 years and was unable to view. please help if you have any leads on how to get a copy or how to contact the director Phil Joanou. I am also curious if anyone has seen the latest in the series.. the 21 up in America and if so how to get a copy of this as well. thank you very much for your insights.

Well done

[Grambo-2 · 24 November 1999]

Very interesting documentary about how much a person changes over seven years. These teens have some insightful opinions on various subjects. Can't wait for the next one, but that's not for another six years. Let's hope the film makers stick with these people for as long as the British series has (up to age 42).