The Sixties

I recently had the pleasure of viewing again a masterpiece made back in 1999 called The Sixties. It is a four hour movie that strives to give the flavor and basic strife of a whole decade. In my view, it succeeds.

We meet a family and follow the kids and parents through the years, from the naive days of The Twist to the drug-laden culture of the late 60's. Dad is an ex-marine. Mom is a dutiful, husband-serving wife. One son wants to please dad and goes off to war. Another son joins the anti-war protests, and the daughter, pregnant, hits the streets of San Francisco.

We revisit the music, mores, and history as we move through the decade. What a fantastic picture of a generation in transformation! We feel for each character: Dad, the strict, conservative patriarch, alienates his kids as he tries to stay attached to the old ways. Mom grows and develops a feminist spirit that allows her to express her real self. The warrior son returns from Nam, emotionally scarred and battered. Protester son returns to the fold, after years of chasing liberal causes. Daughter comes home after begging in the streets. Great film stuff!

Then there's a very touching love story too, where the protester son pursues a sensitive, caring girl who's out there on the fringes with the bombers. Jordana Brewster, who plays the girl, is touching and believable.

So, history buffs, if you want to learn all about the 60's once again, catch this flick when it recycles. You'll be moved and re-educated.

A+ grade. Not to be missed.