We all had growing pains in our early teens. But luckily, we had access to entertainment, movies in particular that helped us understand that it’s a confusing time for everyone. So in honor of our adolescence, here are five coming-of-age movies that shaped our generations, spoilers ahead!
Dead Poets Society (1989)
This movie had us bawling our eyes out. It tells the story of a group of young men attending a preparatory school for boys. They encounter a literature teacher that shows them the value of words and of life. This movie tells a compelling story of friendship, and how one person can influence the way you see things. It also shows the pressures of society and how parents can damage their own children’s perspectives irreparably.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
This is probably one of the most quoted movies of the 2010s. We are introduced to the character of Charlie, an introvert with clinical depression and a bunch of mental health issues. Charlie starts high school as a shy kid, but he meets a couple of senior students who help him come out of his shell. But in the end, the pressures of high school and his friends graduating catch up with Charlie and he ends up having a mental breakdown. But after he gets out of the hospital, his friends visit him and they have another meaningful drive with Charlie saying “We are infinite.”
The Breakfast Club (1985)
Every high school student belonged to some sort of clique. This movie focuses on that. Five students come to school on a Saturday morning for detention. There they air out personal issues and became united despite their differences. The movie highlights how we can accept our friends despite being different from them. The movie ends on a hopeful note with, “a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal” coming out of detention as a new person.
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
This movie highlights the importance of family in all our endeavors. It tells the heartwarming story of a family traveling cross country for the youngest daughter to attend a beauty pageant. On the drive, the family’s relationships are tested, with their internal issues coming out to the open. The movie climaxes at the pageant where, despite their differences, the family comes together to fully support their daughter.
Lady Bird (2017)
This movie is a Greta Gerwig masterpiece that explores the intricacies of high school life. Christine, a senior high school student from a Catholic school fancies herself an alias, “Lady Bird.” She wants to get into a good university but knows that her family can’t afford it. And on her journey through high school, she falls in love and has her heart broken a couple of times. This movie is a poignant telling of the struggles of high school and trying to fit in, or in Lady Bird’s case, trying to explore our individualities.
These Five Coming-of-Age Movies Helped Shape Us
Adolescence is a confusing time in our lives. With these five coming-of-age movies to help us understand ourselves better, we gain a new perspective on the world.