Studying Codes and Conventions of a Coming-of-Age film: Nostalgia and Epiphany

Fatima infront of her mirror:

“No, Mom, I’m not wasting time. I’m doing my homework,” I said, completely lying as I binge-watched the 200th episode of the most random, obscure TV show naturally, that spiraled into an Internet deep dive about the cast (totally not in a creepy way, of course). “OMG, I love how she does her makeup! I’m trying that right now!”, I said as I stood in front of my mirror with an ancient eyeshadow palette. It’s not exactly how most teenage girls talk, nonetheless, you would hear me say, “She’s so me.”

There is an undeniable quality to coming-of-age films, characterized by awkward interactions, transformative realizations, and the profound anxiety of being unable to free yourself from the curse of time. So universal, yet so uniquely personal. Whether it is a quiet indie film or a vibrant teen comedy, coming-of-age narratives possess a remarkable ability to encapsulate the essence of growing up. Why do we instantly relate to the characters and their situations in these movies? The answer to that lies in the codes and conventions that define the genre. These elements provide coming-of-age films with structure, from overarching themes to the smallest details.

Common themes present in coming-of-age films include the unavoidable struggle of getting to discover oneself, characters constantly battling their ideals and morals trying ever so best to fit in; and combating realistic obstacles such as bullying, a new crush, or perhaps even something as boring as a group project. During the narrative, the characters discover new perspectives of the world around them, inevitably helping them reach an epiphany of who they truly are. The uncoiling of the cocoon exposes harsh realities, often utilizing elements of loss, failure, or social injustice to guide the characters through their journey. The films also tend to focus on ideas involving personal identity, allowing characters to navigate a clear path through norms and great expectations (get it?), examples of which may include overcoming self-doubt, exploring sexuality, or combating mental issues.

A Coming of age starter kit :)

The settings used in coming-of-age films are those where you would most likely find an ordinary teen,

●     High school, a literal replica of hell in the eyes of the Protagonist.

●     A teenager's bedroom, mostly where all the important discussions and planning occur.

●     Family Home, which could be the Protagonist’s home where the breakfast is untouched just because they were running late, or even the unsupervised home of a popular kid in school who is now entertaining a party.

●     Cafe/Diners, what better than drinking a hot latte and pretending to study when you’re actually there for gossip.

●     Shopping Centre, cue dressing room sequence

Certain props are also easy to locate in coming-of-age films, these objects replicate the interests of teenagers as well as help in understanding different characters’ personalities.

These may include objects such as,

●     Gadgets e.g. telephones or mobile phones which are a major means of communication amongst teens as well as headphones.

●     Movie and music posters as well as magazines reminiscent of the era or descriptive of the character’s taste.

●     Journals, books and bags for school.

●     Alcohol or drugs may be present depending on the scenario.

●     Designer clothes are often linked with characters like the It girl, but can also be used to showcase the social hierarchy in certain settings e.g. school.

Coming-of-age films comprise certain character types that highlight the social structure oftentimes in a school environment.

●     The Jock - A bully, well-liked, powerful, and powerful. Portrayed by the American stereotype as the most popular boy in the school and most likely the team captain of the football team.

Andrew Clark - The Breakfast Club

Troy Bolton - High School Musical

 ●     School Diva /  It Girl - Well-liked, popular female student whom every guy has a crush on, and every girl idealises. She’s always on trend with the outfits, is probably dating the jock, and is likely to have a few “minions” walking behind her.

Regina George - Mean girls

Cher Horowitz - Clueless

Credits:

Written by Fatima Junaid