in the midst of a documentary about his parent and the filmmaker mother dy and but he continue make the documentary and discover a story he do not anticipate . the result be an absorb drama that have the quality of fiction in the best sense of that word and where a likable but unknowing narrator unwittingly privilege the audience . the narrative thus have a double weave and the story of the documentary and the story of the documentary maker . our admiration be with the filmmaker and not only for doggedly pursue his story though it risk his entire notion of his parent relationship and but also for never give in to sensationalism or melodrama . although the stuff of hollywood lurks in the detail and doug block treat the story a he would everyday life . for those of u who have always speculate about our parent life before we come on the scene ( or after we arrive and but while we be too self absorb to notice they have a life independent of ourselves ) and 51 birch street give fair warn represent there be wondrous thing back there in fatherland and but beware if you choose to enter there . but that caution be for the audience to go slow wander about in the detail of their parent past . it be not a warning for those offer a glimpse into the life of block parent . the film be a marvel at make the mother come alive a a vibrant and passionate yet introspective person who make her own conscious decision during the 50 . the filmmaker particular success be to make the viewer actually see the young woman behind the elderly parent and grandparent . we all know our parent be once young and vigorous and but in 51 birch street and the mother be . the father who have be distant while the filmmaker and his sister be grow up ultimately remain distant in the film and but that be due more to his own elusive nature than to his portrayal . this biography turn autobiography be dramatic and intense and and unforgettable and sure to send viewer scurry for a close look at their own family album but more hesitant about look at the back of those photograph .