Category: Coming Of Age
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THE GOONIES
“The Goonies” is a beloved adventure-comedy film released in 1985. It was directed by Richard Donner and produced by Steven Spielberg, who also provided the story. The screenplay was written by Chris Columbus, known for his work on “Home Alone” and the “Harry Potter” series. The film features an ensemble cast that includes Sean Astin,…
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THE FLAMINGO KID
“The Flamingo Kid” (1984) is a coming-of-age comedy-drama directed by Garry Marshall, set in New York during the summer of 1963. The film follows a working-class teenager from Brooklyn who gets a job at an exclusive beach club on Long Island. There, he is captivated by the glamour and easy confidence of a wealthy car…
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PARENTHOOD
“Parenthood” is a 1989 American coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed by Ron Howard, who collaborated with screenwriters Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel to develop the original story. The film draws heavily from the real family and parenting experiences of Howard, Ganz, Mandel, and producer Brian Grazer. The result is a distinctly human portrayal of American family…
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RISKY BUSINESS
“Risky Business” is a sharp and stylish coming-of-age satire directed and written by Paul Brickman, released in 1983. Set in the affluent suburbs of Chicago, the film combines dark comedy, eroticism, and social commentary while exploring themes of teenage rebellion, capitalism, and moral awakening in Reagan-era America. Notably, it launched Tom Cruise’s career, famously featuring…
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AMERICAN GRAFFITI
“American Graffiti” is a 1973 film directed and co-written by George Lucas, along with Gloria Katz and Willard Huyck. This nostalgic coming-of-age story is set in Modesto, California, in the summer of 1962. It follows a group of teenagers over a single night, filled with cruising, parties, and personal reflection, as they prepare to transition…
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EN KÄRLEKSHISTORIA aka A SWEDISH LOVE STORY
“En kärlekshistoria,” aka “A Swedish Love Story,” is the 1970 feature film debut of Swedish director Roy Andersson, who would later gain international acclaim for his surreal and meticulously composed works like “Songs from the Second Floor” and “A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence.” Unlike those later films, A Swedish Love Story…
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SHORT FILM: RECKLESS (NSFW)
“Reckless” is a short film from 2013, written by Einar Sverdrup and directed by Bjørn Erik Pihlmann Sørensen. The film is set during the hottest summer on record in a quiet suburban neighborhood. The oppressive heat and lethargy permeate the atmosphere, intensifying the restlessness often felt during adolescence. Sofie (Silje Hagrim Dahl), a teenage girl,…
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STAND BY ME
“Stand By Me” is a coming-of-age drama released in 1986, set in Oregon during 1959. Directed by Rob Reiner, known for films like “This is Spinal Tap,” “The Princess Bride,” and “Misery,” the movie is based on Stephen King’s 1982 novella titled “The Body.” Through a nostalgic lens, it tells the story of four 12-year-old…
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HAPPINESS
“Happiness” is a 1998 darkly comedic and deeply unsettling ensemble film written and directed by Todd Solondz (Welcome to the Dollshouse, Storytelling). It interweaves the lives of several characters from suburban New Jersey who are searching for fulfillment. The film’s tone shifts between satire, tragedy, and taboo, exploring themes of alienation, sexual frustration, family dysfunction,…
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TESS
“Tess” is Roman Polanski’s 1979, emotionally devastating adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s 1891 novel Tess of the d’Urbervilles. The film tells the tragic story of a young peasant woman whose life is shaped—and ultimately destroyed—by the social injustices and moral hypocrisies of Victorian England. The film is divided into three distinct acts, chronicling Tess’s life, starting…
