I'm obsessed with coming-of-age stories. I write them, watch them, teach them. The 1950s offered the best literary coming of age; the 1960s gave us music to reflect that time in our lives. What the 1970s lacked in literary and musical offerings it made up for in cinema. Probably as a reaction to the 60s youth movement, there are a ton of great 70s movies about growing up. Here are some of my favorites:
1. Butterflies are Free (1972) An overprotected blind man moves into his first apartment and makes friends with his giggly, half-dressed hippie neighbor. Guess which role Goldie Hawn plays?
2. Next Stop, Greenwich Village (1976) Paul Mazursky's autobiographical film about a young man finding himself among the artsy, bohemian denizens of Greenwich Village. It's set in the 1950s, but is definitely informed by 70s cynicism.
3. Friends (1971) I've seen this described as Romeo and Juliet meet The Blue Lagoon, but it's so much more than that. Two teens falling into a childish love that has adult consequences.
4. Harold and Maude (1971): If you haven't already seen this there is something very wrong with you.
5. Carrie (1976): Greatest horror movie ever about female adolescence.
So, do you guys have any to add from the 80s? 90s? 00s?
Hey Loretta, I've got three Tatum O'Neal vehicles to add--Little Darlings (I think it's the late 70s), The Bad News Bears and Paper Moon. All are about growing up (in some way) and all are fun to watch.
ReplyDeleteHow could I leave those out??!! Thanks, Jenny!
ReplyDeletePaper Moon is one of my all-time favorites.
Ah, Paper Moon! I haven't watched that in ages.
ReplyDeleteLoretta, I adore all of these, except I've never seen Friends. And I have to add Breaking Away to the 70s list.
In terms of the 80s, nothing compares to Sixteen Candles in my book. Also Heathers, Fast Times, Say Anything and The Sure Thing.
In terms of the 90s, I love Clueless, and an another one Amy Heckerling directed called Loser. Wow, she's got 3 films on this list!
As for the 00s, I love Ghost World and My Summer of Love.
And I know it isn't a movie, and that I'm way too obsessed, but Buffy is really a fabulous coming-of-age allegory. Love. It. So. Much.