Watch 51 Birch Street

51 Birch Street is a documentary film released in 2005 directed by Doug Block and tells the story of a family and their search for the truth about their past. The film features Carol Block, Doug Block, and their mother, Ellen Block. The film starts with the days following the death of Carol's father, and the immediate aftermath of her mother's decision to sell the family home on 51 Birch Street. As she begins sorting through her parents' belongings and memories, Carol discovers shocking evidence that forces her to question everything she thought she knew about her parents' seemingly perfect marriage.

The film then moves back in time to explore Ellen and Seymour Block's relationship and marriage. Doug Block, the filmmaker, interviews his parents and their friends, as well as his siblings, to try to piece together the story of their past. He delves into their secrets, their lies, and their failings, and discovers that even the closest of families can be full of secrets and hidden truths.

As the documentary unfolds, it becomes clear that the Blocks' marriage was far from perfect. Secrets and betrayals, infidelities, and an underlying lack of communication plagued the couple's relationship. It's a shocking revelation that upsets the family dynamics tremendously.

The film navigates through the family's journey to uncover the truth about their past, and the effect it has on their present lives. The revelations they uncover send shockwaves through the family, and they struggle to come to terms with the new reality of their lives. The documentary becomes a meditation on how well we ever really know the ones closest to us, and how memories and relationships can profoundly shape the people we become.

The documentary captures a wide range of emotions: from love and tenderness to anger and betrayal. It highlights the importance of communication as the foundation of any relationship, and explores the concept of memory and how people tell stories to make sense of their lives.

As the story progresses, we see the Blocks trying to come to terms with their father's infidelity and their mother's complicity in keeping it a secret. There are moments of tension and sadness, but there is also a sense of hope that the family can move forward and heal.

Overall, 51 Birch Street is a compelling and poignant documentary that explores the complexities of family relationships and the power of secrets. It's a thought-provoking film that reminds us that even the closest relationships can have hidden fissures and that we must confront our truths to move forward.

51 Birch Street is a 2005 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 77.