Coming of Age Films....................

Scott · October 25, 2005, 08:49:07 AM

In an earlier post we were talking about STAND BY ME and I was trying to come up with a list of coming of age films. I guess all teen films are coming of age films, but I always liked the ones that involve a journey/travel of sorts. Can anyone think of any other good ones? Below are the ones that I have seen.

STAND BY ME (1986)
FANDANGO (1985)
LOSIN' IT (1983)
DETROIT ROCK CITY (1999)

A few others without the travel:

THE GRADUATE
THE BREAFAST CLUB
THE WANDERERS (this is a good one about gangs)
A CHRISTMAS STORY (well maybe not coming of age, but nostalgic)
DEAD POETS SOCIETY
LORD OF THE FLIES
THE OUTSIDERS
SUMMER OF 42
SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER
GREASE
ROMEO AND JULIET
WEST SIDE STORY

ulthar · October 25, 2005, 09:04:41 AM

Two of my favorites are VISIONQUEST and SIXTEEN CANDLES.

(A note on Sixteen Candles: I don't so much care for the Molly Ringwald - Matt Schoefling romance aspect, but Anthony Michael Hall's Farmer Ted is hilarious, and hits awefully close to home).

Scott · October 25, 2005, 09:15:37 AM

The 80's seemed to have a fair share of these films. Saw part of SIXTEEN CANDLES, but don't remember much except Molly Ringwald. I'll keep both in mind.

odinn7 · October 25, 2005, 09:20:08 AM

I dunno...would Porky's fit in there? How about Animal House?

Scott · October 25, 2005, 09:24:17 AM

Definately good ones Odinn7. ANIMAL HOUSE and PORKY'S and Also just thinking about REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE, THE WILD ONE, and RECKLESS.

RECKLESS was a good 80's film that I liked. Teens trying to leave town in the Pittsburg area I believe. Some kind of steel town with no future for the youth.

PORKY'S was a riot. They over played it on the pay channels years ago and lost interest in it, but if you see it again today it would be great again.

Post Edited (10-25-05 09:27)

odinn7 · October 25, 2005, 09:37:37 AM

You could also probably add 2 from Tom Cruise:
Risky Business and All The Right Moves.
Though I don't know if Risky Business would really fit, the other one should. It was all about his need for football to help get him out of a nowhere town.

Scott · October 25, 2005, 09:50:46 AM

Oh yea, saw both RISKY BUSINESS and ALL THE RIGHT MOVES. Definately coming of age type of films. Added to the list.

I think someone said ORANGE COUNTY is a coming of age film, but not sure. Haven't seen it yet.

Scott · October 25, 2005, 09:53:48 AM

Actually any film that captures a life passage is of that type film regardless of age catagory, but it's the youth part we remember most.

Fearless Freep · October 25, 2005, 09:56:24 AM

"Star Wars" or more probably "Return Of The Jedi" or maybe the whole trilogy as a Coming of Age film for Luke Skywalker

Scott · October 25, 2005, 10:00:44 AM

Good one Fearless Freep. Your right..........This list could cover a lot of films. That might actually be the ultimate coming of age film. Lucas (or Joseph Cambell) sure captured that archtype and made good use of it. It's almost hidden.

BeyondTheGrave · October 25, 2005, 10:17:31 AM

I don't know if this might count but flims like SLC Punk and to a lesser excent Suburbia. Both deal with punks growing up and leaving the lifestyle behind.

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Most of all I hate dancing then work, exercise, people,stupid people

odinn7 · October 25, 2005, 10:23:58 AM

In a roundabout way, Repo Man was one too.

This topic could cover way more films than you had even thought possible.

Scott · October 25, 2005, 10:25:16 AM

Sounds like it. That would be one of the basic elements. I might check SLC PUNK out.

Scott · October 25, 2005, 10:52:32 AM

In the movie GAPPA: Monster From a Prehistoric Planet a little Gappa is hatched and taken from a Island back to mainland Japan. His parents come looking for him and upon finding him he learns to fly like his parents. He learns to fly at the local municipal airport.

From the wide expanse of moviedom we have crossed the mighty gap of "coming of age" film themes in just a few short post. From STAND BY ME to STAR WARS and now the mighty GAPPA.

Post Edited (10-25-05 11:05)

AndyC · October 25, 2005, 11:21:30 AM

Loved "Losin' It" back in the 80s. Worth watching just for the brief scenes of John Valby performing in the bar. The price negotiation between the annoying, horny little twerp and the hooker was pretty good too:

"Ten Dollars."
"If Frank Sinatra came in here, you'd do it with him for four bucks."
"You're not Frank Sinatra."
"Yeah, but is Frankie built like this?" (Squeezes rolled up sock in pants)
"Fifteen dollars."

A good one that hasn't been mentioned was "Coupe de Ville." Three estranged brothers deliver a Cadillac cross-country to their parents and learn to relate to each other as adults. Only saw it once, but I recall liking it a lot.