The Family, just like you and me (The Family)

Member Name: wolfey59

Product:	The Family
Date:	01/09/09 (134 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Depicts an accurate representation of family life

Disadvantages: Slightly annoying at times

The Family is a channel 4 documentary that filmed a family around the clock for 100 days and nights. It was first aired in the Autumn last year but is just being repeated on More 4 at the moment.

The family consists of 6 members - the dad, Simon, the Mum, Jane and their 4 kids - Jessica, Emily, Charlotte and Tom. Jessica doesn't live with them, she lives down the road with her fiancé Pat and their daughter Ruby, but often comes round for visits.

The programme was shown over 8 episodes, with a Christmas special episode, making it 9 in total. It covers all sorts of events that a normal life would see. The family seem unaware of the cameras for most of the time, even though they are really big and obvious, not hidden at all.

Simon is the head of the household and you often see him keeping the family in check. He seems to be the only one that works and you see him leave early in the morning only to return home to cook dinner, clean the house and have heated discussions around the dinner table.

Jane, very attractive and the first episode sees her worried about her fortieth birthday. She has a good bond with her children and likes to have a laugh with them. I am not sure if she works or not, she tends to go out the house a lot and return with bags. The viewer gets a very clear indication that her and Simon are very much in love and have a strong relationship.

Emily is the tearaway teenager who wants to do what she wants, but doesn't want to leave home. She goes out almost every night returning home in the early hours of the morning, This often causes her to call in sick to work the next day. It seems to be an endless problem and her parents are worried about what to do with her. They tend to have lots of stern talks with her trying to discipline her, but as soon as she cries they giver her cuddles, which in my opinion, defeats the object. She is 19 so old enough to leave home and Simon and Jane often threaten they are going to throw her out, but it doesn't happen.

Charlotte is the youngest daughter and still at school. There is one episode where she is deciding whether to quite school or not after her GCSE's. Despite her wild ways, Emily actually gives her some good advice in this episode and tells her not to leave school just yet because she didn't want to see her sister end up like her. Charlotte doesn't play too much of a role in the documentary, tending to keep in the background, but when she does speak up she is very clever and knows what she is talking about.

Tom is the youngest and is craving attention. He is also another typical teenager and you often see him dancing around in front of his mirror. He doesn't like school and in one episode complains that he is tired. He doesn't want to go to bed when he is told and Simon and Jane find that even though they do send him to bed he still stays up for hours on his computer games.

Jessica doesn't feature too much but the last episode is dedicated to her and Pat's wedding and it is a beautiful episode. It was a good end to the series and even made me shed a small tear.

I really liked this series because I could relate to it. The three children act exactly how me and my siblings used to act when we were younger - sharing secrets and constantly fighting and tearing at each others throats.

I can also sympathise with the parents as to how much of a loss they are at as to how to deal with their children, especially Emily. They love them very much and find it hard to tell them off and try and teach them a lesson.

I thought it depicted a very true representation of a modern family. They were not rich or special in anyway and were just like you and me. They didn't act up to the cameras which made it feel even more real. There is also commentary in some of the episodes which is needed sometimes to explain what has been happening previously.

I think channel 4 are going to do another series with a different family this time and I am not sure it's going to be as good. But this first series is definitely one to watch!

Summary: One to watch