Coming of Age Movies

Denerick

I've always been partial to this genre of films; everyone can relate to them and they nearly always deliver universal truths.

I'm thinking films like 'C.R.A.Z.Y' (A French show about a devout Catholic family, the protagonist struggles with his sexuality, but loads of other stuff go on as well, really interesting film) and 'A River Runs through it' (Good old midwestern American coming of age story)

Basically I'm looking for films that cover that gap between late teenagehood and mid 20s - the bridge between adolescence and adulthood.

Any recommendations?

johnny_ultimate

Only teens to late 20s? I guess that rules out the sublime, children-focused likes of George Washington (in my mind the most effecting example of the 'genre')...

The Last Picture Show is a classic, bittersweet tale of growing up.

I just watched the rather engaging Tiny Furniture today, and it's in the sub-genre of coming-of-age films of protagonists who have just graduated college and are awkwardly emerging into the 'real world'. See also: Kicking & Screaming, Funny Ha Ha, Sawako Decides.

Dance Party USA could arguably fit into the category, about a bunch of high-school students dabbling in casual sex with nowhere in particular in mind. It's honest, but perhaps a little lacking in traditional drama for some.

Norwegian Wood is better as a book, but a pretty spot-on example of what you're looking for. Film is pretty albeit a vapid sort of pretty.

Tarnation - Jonathan Caouette's iMovie autobiography - is another impressive example, somewhat along the lines of a non-fiction CRAZY.

Mickeroo

Out of recent movies I would say Richard Ayoade's Submarine was great. Its very funny and pretty touching too, really nicely filmed to boot. Worth a look OP!

Yonge Street

Possibly the best coming-of-age drama of all time is Stand By Me. Set in the 1950s, it's a touching tale of camaraderie among four young boys, each from dysfunctional backgrounds, at the age before girls become important. Contains some dark comedy moments and a great soundtrack to boot.

For anyone who enjoyed the film as much as I did, I recommend reading Stephen King's The Body on which the film is based. The film is only half the book and leaves out the very sad future of the rest of the boys.

tony1kenobi

St Elmos Fire.

I can't even remember if it was any good but everyone was in it and Rob Lowe plays a sax.

So it's worth watching just for that probably.

dr.bollocko

Dazed and confused... American graffiti... Would they count? Kinda dealing with the malaise / bittersweet memories of the end of a summer of freedom.
The myth of the american sleepover is also recommended to me but I have not had the chance to watch it yet.
Would agree with submarine...
Am I missing the point entirely? Oh well.
Starship troopers also deals with teens struggling to adapt to a new adult role but in an altogether more visceral manner.

Immaculate Pasta

Garden State with Zach Braff and Natalie Portman :cool:

Turtyturd

A guide to recognizing your saints?

krudler

Mean Creek, great little movie.

krudler

dr.bollocko wrote: »

Starship troopers also deals with teens struggling to adapt to a new adult role but in an altogether more visceral manner.

and mountains of violence

iguana

tony1kenobi wrote: »

St Elmos Fire.

I can't even remember if it was any good but everyone was in it and Rob Lowe plays a sax.

So it's worth watching just for that probably.

That's a pretty awful movie.

mikhail

A lot of the suggestions are very good films but not really about the time of life the OP asked for.

A recent example of the kind asked for is Adventureland, which is about first love, that crappy first job and the loss of father figures.

Woodsocks

Jesus's son, released in 2000, based on the excellent book by Denis Johnson.

Skinfull

Reality Bites. Not the best flick but enjoyable. About that gap in your life between Uni and working. Loads of names you will recognise.

Then I suppose you have Singles, which is a little older than the requested age span but still worth the look, and has a killer soundtrack and a cameo by Eddie Vedder.

checkcheek

Denerick wrote: »

I've always been partial to this genre of films; everyone can relate to them and they nearly always deliver universal truths.

I'm thinking films like 'C.R.A.Z.Y' (A French show about a devout Catholic family, the protagonist struggles with his sexuality, but loads of other stuff go on as well, really interesting film) and 'A River Runs through it' (Good old midwestern American coming of age story)

Basically I'm looking for films that cover that gap between late teenagehood and mid 20s - the bridge between adolescence and adulthood.

Any recommendations?

i saw your comment and decided id watch c.r.a.z.y and it is officially my favourite film

JP Liz V1

The Man in the Moon and My Girl

LCD

C.R.A.Z.Y. is one of the greatest movies I have ever seen.

Garden State definitely a classic, as is Singles.

JohnFalstaff

I recently watched Bellflower - it's a terrific film and deals with that period in your life when you have to grow up and stop spending your days obsessing over the Road Warrior. One of the better coming of age films I've seen, and probably the only one that features home-made flame-throwers!

That_Guy

Star Wars.

A heart warming tale of a lowly farm boy who loses everything and overcomes adversity to become a Jedi Knight.

kraggy

Boys Don't Cry.

tunguska

Breaking away

Great movie, always makes me smile.

I'd recommend Dogtooth. It's about 3 teenagers who have been kept isolated from the world by their parents, confined to their home/compound. A great thought provoking film if a bit disturbing.

OldeCinemaSoz

gregory's girl