My all time, top 10 teen/coming of age films...
Jun 28 '01
The Bottom Line Coming of age movies are about exploration of the world your growing up in, and the people you do it with.
I've got to start getting more creative with my titles. Well, unfortunately Epinions doesn't have a 'coming of age' movie section, sure they've got a 'mummy movie' category, but the classic coming of age film doesn't get a look in. Before you ask, yes, there is a difference between a coming of age film and a teenage film as we have today (eg American Pie). The idea behid a coming of age film is to explore the psyche of the teenager, the person growing up, and the idea of your average teenage film is to exploit that very same mentality.
Before I kick off with the top 10, I just thought I'd point out a couple of trends. Any coming of age movie made in the early to mid 80s should star Molly Ringwald, and any late 80s to early 90s ones should involve two excessively cool losers. So here we go...
10. Grease- okay, this one doesn't quite fit into either of those categories that I mentioned, however it still is a classic coming of age film. Whilst regularly, these movies are about our triumphant teen getting the guy or the girl, AND maintaining their individuality, this movie does not give us both. Whilst the right to people get together, John Travolta is ultimately not a nicer person for it, and Olivia gets sucked into oblivion to join the numbers instead of being any different. She's a pathetic hero, coming into the film with her high ideals, and her lovely disposition, we're left utterly discusted by her rapid demise into pop culture. That is what ultimately makes this film a good coming of age flick, because the hero loses for a change, reflecting real teen life.
9. Bill & ted's Excellent Adventure- Okay, the stage is set, two slackers, failing history, best friends, assignment due tomorrow. Enter Rufus, man from future with time-warp telephone box. Result?? Passed test after a visit to medieval times, Napolean, the Frencn revolution and various other exciting places. So where's the meaning here?? I hear you ask, well I couoldn't find any, I just love this movie, it's a great load of fun, and it's the first movie of its style. Ultimately I'd say this is a teenage film, there are a few lessons to be learnt in there, but ultimately our two heros haven't grown or changed at all.
8. Wayne's World- Following on from Bill and Ted we have another couple of lovable losers pining to make their own rockband. It's not really happening though!! In this movie, unlike with Bill and Ted, we see our characters grow as they explore thier own feelings and desires. Although extremely funny, Mike Myers explores awkwardness surrounding teen love, he also explores the fantasies of your average teenager with impossible dreams of stardom. This movie is definatelt worth a watch, not only is it funny, you actually feel like you get soemthing out of it!!
7. Election- I wasn't particularly certain whether or not to put this in here, I ultimately decided to simply because you do watch the development of three teens growing up through the ordeal of trying to get elected as school presidenty type thing. We see the child that never grows up, and remains spoilt and unchanged, even when we see her years in the future. We see the boy who's too nice for his own good, giving away his right to vote for himself in order to vote for someone else. Thirdly we find a girl exploring her sexuality, which has been a theme for coming of age movies, particularly dominant in the 90s. The movie as a wholse is a satire, and explores adult relationships amongst other things as well. Definately one of the best films of '99.
6. Karate Kid-Theres always been something daunting about being the new kid, and in the Karate Kid, our hero Daniel is the new kid. This of course means that he goes through all the cruelties that young immature minds can come up with, school is a vicious place. As a result, Daniel gets trained by Mister Miagi to be the Karate Kid, along with some painting and car waxing involved. Daniel grows, matures, becomes a stronger person, and in his final fight at the competition he becomes involved in, he pushes all his limits and gains the respect of his peers. It's about getting respect, it's about earning respect and it's about standing out to fit in.
5. Dirty Dancing- To kick off the top 5 is a classic coming of age film in the classic style of boy and grirl getting together, and there being family issues involved. You've seen it all before, dad's afraid of her little girl growing up, and at first forbids the girl to see the boy, yet ultimately grows to like the lad. (Father of the Bride comes to mind). The acting is second rate, and the dancing isn't so crash hot, but the ambitious blend of soundtrack and movie captured, and still captures the imagination of every teen whose wished to get the guy (and rub it in dad's face).
4. Breakfast Club- At last, Molly, where have you been?? waiting for the top 4, because Molly Ringwald was easily the queen of the coming of age film during the 80s. She was a teen idol, and this movie epitomises the films she starred in. Five teens from different backgrounds come together on saturday mornings, every Saturday morning, and they hate each other. That hatred, however tentatively becomes friendship, and it is ultimately a feel goo end as this motly crew get together. This is the movie which set into motion the idea of films that explored relationships, and friendships.
3. Ma Vie en Rose- I'm sorry, but I can't help myself, there always has to be a foreign film in my lists. this movie is not about a teen, it is about a seven year old boy exploring his sexuality. he has a love for barby, and the most traumatic moment of the movie is when his mother cuts his long hair. Ludo doesn't want to feel like this, he just does, and doesn't understand it, and neither does his stubborn father, or ultimately the others in their town. This is rejection and hurt at is fullest.
2. 10 Things I Hate About You- There's no real exploration here, it just shows teenage dating for what it is, I guess it was the same back in Shakespeare's day as the is based on The Taming of the Shrew. We watch as the misfit couple get into love, out of it, back in etc etc etc, and the other side, the new boy trying to catch the eye of the popular girl. Although cinical in its exposition of teenage boy-girl relationships, it's fun and good natured in doing so.
1. Pretty in Pink- Finally we've made it, another Molly Ringwald film, I have always found this movie particularly poignant. Our four main characters each represent a different facet of what it is to be a teenager. Andie represents teenaged wilfulness, Ducky represents lonliness, Blaine is confusion, and the bully Steff represents insecurity. We watch as these teens, each seemingly in their own world with their own problems relate and interact, the feelings that develop towards one another, and also to the adults in their lives.
Well, it's taken me nearly an hour to write this, so I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have, I must congratulate you on reading the whole thing. Okay, cheers then, and as usual, thanks for reading, rating and commenting.
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Epinions.com ID:
Mattels
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Member: Matt Firth
Location: Sydney Australia
Reviews written: 52
Trusted by: 39 members
About Me:
Made a brief return...maybe I shall make another...
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