35 Up (1991, Michael Apted) (Patreon)

Second viewing, last seen 1992 (when it was my introduction to the series, and I was still a decade out from 35 myself). Yeah, see, I've hit a wall now on meaningfully distinguishing one film from another—can describe notable changes in circumstance since the previous installment, but that's just the documentary equivalent of a plot summary. The project as a whole is far more valuable than any given chapter. Still, while this is the first one I've liked (slightly) less than its predecessor (because there's comparatively little upheaval, with most of the group just keepin' on keepin' on, not yet old enough to start voicing regrets; Neil remains the exception and has been moved to the final slot accordingly), there are a couple of fascinating meta-fillips. For one thing, the series was sufficiently high-profile at this point (presumably due to 28 getting a theatrical release in some territories) that its subjects frequently express discomfort about how they or their spouses have been perceived by the public—a very minor Heisenberg effect*, but not meaningless. And in a related development, John, who'd declined to participate seven years earlier, returns for the express purpose of promoting Bulgarian-related charities, talking about himself only as an afterthought. The snake has begun to swallow its own tail. Wonder whether that escalates down the road. I don't yet know! 

* using Freddy Riedenschneider's somewhat confused understanding of the Uncertainty Principle

PERSONAL UP: I turned 35 in 2003, am now a full-time professional film critic (working for Time Out New York) and, surreally, a member of the New York Film Critics Circle. Again, this would have seemed inconceivable to anyone watching my hypothetical 28 Up—I was futzing around with writing reviews online (for the minuscule audience that then existed), but had no career aspirations. Now I'm suddenly a success, making a decent living doing something I love. And it's all gone to hell by the next installment. Thanks subprime-mortgage lenders.