Ken Loach's Family Life is a harrowing film which examines the Generational gap which exists between the older and the younger generations pertaining to morals, ambitions, and pretty much just culture in general. Somewhere in between a documentary and fiction, Loach's realist style really aids the film in delivering a frighteningly real, honest depiction of how a young woman's slow mental deterioration due in large part to her authoritative parents. Being that the film was released in 1971, I imagine this is Loach's commentary on the 60's, but all of it is equally profound and valid in today's society. While Family Life is very much in Loach's typical lowkey style, this is a film that is bound to frustrate the viewer, even to the point of physical disgust at times, forced to witness the unwillingness of this girl's parents to put themselves in their daughter's shoes and view the world outside of their preconceived notions of the world around them. Loach clearly identifies much more with the daughter in the film, and while the parents are shown in a rather vile way, it never becomes unnatural or overbearing, they really are just trying to do what is best for their daughter. With strong characterizations and Loach's naturalistic style, Family Life explores the fine line between in parenting between controlling and nurturing, arguing that elder's are not always wiser due to their inability to adapt to changing times.
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AuthorLove of all things cinema brought me here. Archives
June 2023
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