MovieChat Forums > 49 Up (2005) Discussion > Nick's first wife, Jackie

Nick's first wife, Jackie


I miss Nick's wife, Jackie, whom we first met in 28 (discussed in 49 as well). She was the first woman on the show I could relate to...well educated and with a promising career. I was just as shocked as she was when the director said to Nick, "So, is your wife going to stay home and raise the kids?" and was glad when she told him off.

I was surprised to hear viewers didn't like her and the director assumed they would divorce.

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I didn't think Nick and Jackie would split up at first. Sure, they argued but they both were very smart, very independent people and that happens sometimes. I was intrigued (watch 28 Up again if you must) that Apted asked them what they liked about each other, and at least they could give Apted an answer. Peter and his wife, meanwhile couldn't come up with anything they liked about each other off the bat. That marriage I thought was goin down. Course Peter didn't make it to the next one so we didn't find out. Nick and Jackie eventually split up, but I don't think that was necessarily about their arguments at 28.

By the way, I liked Jackie as well.

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In all of the shows after Jackie came into Nick's life, I keep hearing about how supremely upset she was about her portrayal in the movie. So much so that she avoided participation and prevented her child from being filmed before the divorce.

I'm at a loss here. What exactly was so bad about her presentation to make her react so strongly? From my point of view, Jackie came across as a smart woman who has her opinions. So what? You could say the same from all the wives they filmed. I don't get what was so horrible.

Can anyone point out what I'm missing?

I'm glad Nick's second wife is smart with a lot going for her. They seem like a decent match.



Life is never fair, and perhaps it is a good thing for most of us that it is not.

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I guess the fact that she refused to participate again and wouldn't let their son participate either might mean she was kind of a control freak. Also, the fact that she left Nick kind of abruptly might fit in with that too. That's just my guess.

I'm also glad that Nick and Cryss found each other. I loved that story about how their heads tilted the same way when they recognized each other. Plus, I live in Minnesota, so it's nice to know she lives here too and that he comes here every other weekend to see her.

I'm trying, Ringo. I'm trying real hard to be the shepherd.

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I don't see her as a control freak. What I heard is that Apted thought they would break up, and that Tony would turn to a life of crime, and he tried to set up scenarios to provide footage that would be like early clues that he would replay when those things came about. With Tony, he had Tony the cabbie drive him around to crime-ridden areas or something, and with Nick and Jackie he asked those questions about what they liked about each other, and probably other things.

Of course, he ended up being wrong about Tony who never became a criminal. And he was wrong about Nick and Jackie, at least in the short term. So Apted said he learned his lesson and gave up trying to predict, instead just captures people as they are at the time and lets things evolve as they do.

So, Jackie found out about what Apted thought about their prospects, and how that affected how he filmed them and what questions he asked, and was understandably upset. I mean, would you voluntarily spend time with ANYone who thought your marriage would break up soon? And Apted wasn't just anyone, he was someone presenting their lives and marriage to millions of people. I would probably do what she did add stop participating.

I note that some other participants are never shown with their spouse and don't talk about that person or their relationship, because the spouse does not want to participate or be talked about. They're not control freaks either.

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I thought it odd that I didn't like Jackie much as I had loved Nick from the beginning. She had a moustache and seemed control-freakish. I can understand the whole well-educated feminist thing, but she just came across as whiny and sour in my eyes.

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I wish Jackie continued to participate in the series, but I can understand why she would choose not to. She didn't come off as particularly warm and therefore people were a bit critical of her. This is one of the few flaws with the series- you see little 10 minute bits where people catch up and tell you what they're up to and then people watch and come up with an assessment of how interesting and/or great of a person you are. I'm sure it was painful for her to be scrutinized and criticized by the public.

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I thought she came off a bit selfish.

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After just seeing 49 Up, I have to say I love Cryss much better, and think she suits Nick.

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Jackie reminds me of an older brunette version of Tori Spelling.

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Perhaps some of the comments of those who liked Jackie were made by Americans.
From an Irish viewpoint (which would be very close to an English view) she came across as being TOO strong in her views, almost arrogant, and as such an almost selfish person.

Perhaps thats why she wasnt liked so much.

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I remember not liking her before, then when I saw the flashbacks, I thought, oh boy, good thing they're still not married to each other.

Xryss seems much more ...lovable.



Please don't delete my posts. I have the right to an opinion just as much as you do.

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"Perhaps some of the comments of those who liked Jackie were made by Americans."



Or, perhaps not.

I'm American, and I much prefer his second wife.

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Peter:

In the director's commentary for 42 Up he says that Peter divorced, moved back to Liverpool, re-married and has kids.

Nick:

They didn't really show the couple having fun or enjoying themselves very much. Just by not showing positive things they made her seem kind of negative.

His second marriage seems just insane to me though. Driving 5 hours and seeing one another only on weekends? What kind of a life is that? He's still far from retirement age; he should have tried for better.

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Cryss is pretty strong, I think she will wear the pants in that relationship, even telling him off for putting too much butter on the toast. She looks as if he puts her up on a pedestal.

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No, I think Nick likes being able to access to the mind of the person he shares his life with. Remember; he's very rational, focused and admits to having difficulties when it comes to understanding emotions. And she respects it, considering Nick is obviously ferociously smart and lovable and what-have-you.

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I knew they'd divorce... I couldn't stand 2 minutes of her, don't know how that man stayed married for so many years - he didn't look happy.

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