On DVD: 51 Birch Street

Directed by Doug Block

Starring Mike Block, Mina Block

51 Birch Street asks “Do we really want to know our parents?” Ask yourself that question as you watch this provocative documentary directed by Doug Block and released by Image Entertainment.

The Movie

Doug Block is an independent documentary filmmaker. Like many, he has to supplement his income by filming the occasional wedding. He also passes the time by turning the camera on his own family, filming holiday dinners, weddings and asking his parents and siblings their opinions on life and such.

Mike and Mina, Doug’s parents, seemingly have an ideal marriage. They recently celebrated 54 years of wedded bliss. The Block’s days were happy. Until the day that Mina unexpectedly passed away from pneumonia.

It is at this point that Doug and his siblings learned a lot more about the lives of Mike and Mina. It is within two months of Mina’s death that Mike remarries Kitty, a woman that was his secretary 35 years earlier.

Needless to say Doug and his sisters are totally gobsmacked by this news. And, that is not the end of the surprises. Apparently, Mike and Kitty are anxious to sell the family home and start new lives in Florida.

Upon Doug helping to clean out his family home, he discovers diaries that Mina has been keeping for many years. The diaries reveal a life completely unknown to Doug and his sisters, a life and a marriage that wasn’t has happy and fulfilling as it seemed to everyone that knew her.

51 Birch Street is an honest exploration into a marriage that seems one way on the surface, but if you dig just a bit different, is a much different emotional experience. It also encourages the viewer to question just how much do we really want to know our own parents.

When we are younger, we don’t view our parents as regular people, we simply view them as people who gave birth to us and obtain all of their happiness out of our well-being and contentment. But, as we get older, we start to view them as real humans, filled with imperfections, desires and emotions.

For documentary fans, 51 Birch Street is a must see. I cannot recall many films that are this brutally honest and emotionally genuine. And after seeing a glimpse into Mike and Mina’s marriage, do you want to know what is going on between Mom and Pops when you aren’t around?

8/10

The Video

51 Birch Street is presented in its original full frame aspect ratio. It has the look of a lower budget video production, but due to its subject matter, is totally expected and acceptable.

6/10

The Audio

51 Birch Street is presented in Dolby Digital 2.0. The dialogue is all clear and easily understood. This isn’t going to give your home theater system a workout, but is acceptable for the film presented.

6/10

The Packaging and Bonus Features

51 Birch Street is presented in a standard amaray case with a cute picture of Mina and Mike on the cover.

A few nice bonus features await your discovery on this release. First up is a featurette entitled “Who Knew, The Block Family Reacts to 51 Birch Street”. It features Doug, his sisters and other family members and their reactions to this absolutely candid film about their family.

Next up is a music video, directed by Block and featuring his uncle Josh Vobel singing a song entitled I Flunk Adultery. This video is warm hearted and quite humorous.

The original theatrical trailer is also offered.

While a director’s commentary would make a nice addition, the bonus features that are included are enjoyable.

6.5/10

Overall (Not an Average) 7.5/10

The Movie 8/10

The Video 6/10

The Audio 6/10

The Packaging and Bonus Features 6.5/10

Overall ( Not an Average) 7.5/10

-Stephen Lackey