Films in the Coming of age genre: Teen Angst, Growth Spurts, and Awkward Moments

Coming-of-age films are works of fiction that cover a wide range of people, places, and times. These films provide comfort and understanding, especially for teenagers, as they navigate life’s challenges. They resonate because they reflect universal experiences of growing up, often during significant moments or struggles. These films explore themes of identity, self-discovery, and change, as shown in the 2017 film Lady Bird.

As this genre is one of my favorites, here are some iconic examples of coming-of-age films, each unique and impactful in its own way:

Call Me By Your Name (2017)

Director: Luca Guadagnino

The film focuses on Elio (Timothée Chalamet), a 17-year-old living in northern Italy during the summer of 1983. He forms a deep, emotional connection with Oliver (Armie Hammer), a 24-year-old graduate student. Their relationship becomes a transformative experience for Elio, marking his first encounter with love, desire, and heartbreak. As the summer ends, the fleeting romance leaves a lasting impact, capturing the bittersweet nature of growing up and falling in love. The film explores themes like first love, sexuality, identity, family, grief, and acceptance, while also touching on societal expectations of masculinity through Oliver's character.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

Director: Stephen Chbosky

The movie follows Charlie (Logan Lerman), a shy high school freshman, as he tries to find his place in the world. In the early 1990s, Charlie befriends two seniors, Sam (Emma Watson) and Patrick (Ezra Miller), who help him experience life, love, and self-expression. As Charlie faces his own past and mental health struggles, the movie explores themes like friendship, love, mental health, and finding where you belong. It also examines how high school stereotypes can affect individuals, while emphasizing the importance of true, understanding friendships.

Spirited Away (2001)

Director: Hayao Miyazaki

This animated film by Studio Ghibli tells the story of Chihiro (voiced by Rumi Hiiragi), a young girl trapped in a magical world where her parents are turned into pigs. To save them, Chihiro must navigate a bathhouse run by spirits and supernatural beings. Throughout her journey, she learns about courage, responsibility, and personal growth, maturing from a frightened child into a brave young girl. The film explores themes of identity, environmentalism, and greed, offering rich animation and emotional depth.

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013)

Director: Ayan Mukerji

This film follows four friends - Kabir (Ranbir Kapoor), Naina (Deepika Padukone), Aditi (Kalki Koechlin), and Avi (Aditya Roy Kapur) - as they navigate their youth, dreams, and relationships. During a college trip, Kabir, an adventurous spirit, and Naina, an introverted girl, form a bond that shapes their future. The film highlights their growth over the years, focusing on love, career choices, and personal development. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is a celebration of living life fully, pursuing dreams, and cherishing relationships, with vibrant music and relatable themes of youth, ambition, and love.

The Breakfast Club (1985)

Director: John Hughes

Set in a high school library on a Saturday, five very different students spend the day in detention together. Assigned to write an essay on who they think they are, they eventually open up to each other, revealing personal struggles and discovering they have more in common than they first thought. The film explores themes of identity, family issues, and social pressures, highlighting how stereotypes shape high school life. The Breakfast Club is a timeless story about high school challenges, the emotional struggles of growing up, and how teenagers, despite their differences, share common experiences and desires.

Each of these films is an iconic example of coming-of-age cinema, exploring personal growth, identity, and relationships in unique and impactful ways, directed by talented filmmakers.