Up The Junction is a 1968 film directed by Peter Collinson
and stars Suzy Kendall and Dennis Waterman.
I enjoyed this film as the main protagonist was a woman,
named Polly, who was independent and knew what she wanted from life. She hated
the whole privileged lifestyle and wanted to move away and make a life for
herself – living off her own wages, and making her own way in the real world.
No matter who tried to pigeon-hole her as posh and rich she kept investing in
things that she could only pay for with her own hard earned cash.
She is shown to be strong as she is living through all the
judgements everyone gives her, even her boyfriend, Peter.
The ending was interesting – in my opinion, not the best way
it could have gone – as she realises her money and status will always be there
to get her what she wants and needs as she pleads to see Peter before he is
sent off to prison for six months for stealing a car. She realises that he just
wants to give her what she’s used to and she, also, realises that he doesn’t understand
her wants and needs as the last shot of the film is her crying for not only
losing her lover but also losing her identity.
This film had a stronger representation of women than Alfie
(1966) did because it was from a female perspective. All Alfie did was
objectify women and in a way dehumanise them which is quite frustrating as a
female viewer to hear women being called “it”. Then, in contrast, watching
women doing what they want and how they want is quite an empowering thing.
