...that almost all coming-of-age films seem to focus on young boys? What about girls? As far I can think right now, few, if any, such films seem to have a girl as the focus. Can anyone name any? I really felt for Duncan, as I was the introverted type of teen, and am still that way as an adult. And yes, I am a woman. And I really loved this film.
shareHow about Carrie? Okay ... maybe not a great example. Lolita?
There are some TV shows that fit the bill:
- My So Called Life
- Freak and Geeks (if you focus on Lindsey, anyway).
- Girls (perhaps they're getting to it a bit late in life)
There are quite a few that semi fit the bill, though they tend to verge into other genres, like romantic comedy, or "groups of friends" movies. I suppose you could describe a great many romantic comedies with a young heroine (John Hughes, Jane Austen etc.) as female coming-of-age movies.
Some more, some of which are, to some extent, romantic comedies as well:
- Dirty Dancing (independence/breaking-family-mold theme):
- The Princess Diaries
- The Breakfast Club (okay, it's about half female and half male, anyway)
- Clueless (romantic comedy elements are reduced vs. the source material)
- Girl Interrupted (throw in mental health issues)
- The Babysitters Club (on the younger side, and it's a group)
- Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (another group)
- Ghost World (getting pretty close to classic C-of-A, actually)
- The Help (plus a semi-related racial theme)
- Hairspray, musical version (another racial theme, plus songs! and weight!)
- Heathers (dark version)
I suppose we should reject "Pygmalion"-esque movies (My Fair Lady, Mannequin, Ruby Sparks, Weird Science, Point of No Return) because they focus more on Pygmalion's role than Galatea's (though one might argue that Owen played Pygmalion here).
You're right, most of those are more romanic comedy than coming-of-age, as most have more emphasis on the comedic elements. And some you mentioned do seem to fit the coming-of-age description but are historic-fiction-based (the ones based on Jane Austen novels) rather than contemporary set. None of seem to be in the same mode as "The Way, Way Back"- the sullen, withdrawn loner trait we see Duncan as. Why do filmmakers seem to think only boys fit that description? I was introverted as a teen and even as an adult now (kind of why I could feel Duncan's pain. There don't appear to be many movies that have female protagonists like this, or that have the same dramatic feeling that "The Way, Way Back" has, as opposed to the comedic-dominated films mentioned above. Am I wrong about this?
shareThe Princess Diaries seems the closest. Dirty Dancing is at least part of the way there.
One thing to note is that - unlike most all male coming-of-age movies - those that are at all similar with females usually also have a physical transformation, aka an "ugly duckling" element. That's obviously the case in The Princess Diaries. It's also present in quite a few movies that aren't really coming of age movies (because the transformee isn't the protagonist or is already well of age). In the later-in-life categoy, see My Big Fat Greek Wedding or Miss Congeniality. The non-protagonist magic makeover used to be pretty common in TV shows, where it was often fairly absurd, e.g. in one episode of My Favorite Martian they just had Marlo Thomas take off her glasses in order to transform from a frumpy scientist into a hottie to whom everyone immediately started proposing (marriage, that is: this was in the early '60s).
Carrie? Really? Not the best example lol
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A picture with a smile - and perhaps, a tear.
Hahah, Carries' a great example. Nice reply. Good list.
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- Man in the Moon
- Foxes
- Smooth Talk
- Badlands
- The Runaways
- Let Me In (?)
- Welcome to the Dollhouse
- Heathers
- Thirteen
- An Education
- 16 Candles
- The Virgin Suicides
- Juno
- Pretty in Pink
- Precious
- Easy A
- Boys Don't Cry
I think you'd find a lot of female coming of age films if you looked a little more. They're out there, and they're usually more interesting than the ones about horny teenage boys.
I'm sure statistically there are more male coming of age films. But that's probably because there are more male screenwriters. Why is that? I'm not quite sure. But if you think there should be more stories about girls coming of age, then write one!
Other movies include: Foxfire,
Whip It
Ginger and Rosa
Show Me Love
But I'm a Cheerleader
I think there are more male coming-of-age movies partly because girls will go see a movie about teen boys but maybe not vice versa.
Bonus points for mentioning But I'm a Cheerleader.
"Hello, Dexter Morgan." - Arthur Mitchell
Girl (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0138467/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1) used to be one of my favorite movies. Great coming of age flick
shareIt'd be a shame to overlook "My Girl". That movie made me misty eyed.
Or you could include "Teeth", haha.
I'm surprised it took so long for someone to mention it.
Sure it has a comedy aspect, but My Girl is absolutely a great example of a female coming-of-age movie, all awkward, unknowing, and such.
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there is one simple reason why so many coming of age stories are about boys - they were written by men.
you want to increase the number of coming of age stories about girls, then increase the number of women writing coming of age stories about girls.
but that probably won't work. men focus more on the coming of age part, women tend to focus more on the fantasy part - twilight, host, hunger games, etc. or they focus on the unbelievably depressing part - thirteen, prozac nation, girl interrupted.
men, we're simple, and apparently we don't have to be crazy in order to write a book about puberty.
men focus more on the coming of age part, women tend to focus more on the fantasy part - twilight, host, hunger games, etc. or they focus on the unbelievably depressing part - thirteen, prozac nation, girl interrupted.
You'd probably like Flirting (1991)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101898/combined
I watched a fun coming of age story for girls the other day. Must Be... Love (2013)
It's from the Philippines so you'll need to find a DVD/copy with subtitles.
The movie itself is aimed at teenagers, it's nothing you haven't seen before but I enjoyed it.
Personally, "Flirting" is one of my favorite movies.
Also, the upcoming film "The Book Thief" based on the novel, is going to have a protagonist who is sensitive, intelligent and somewhat of a misfit. Plus she's a girl!
I like non-raunchy coming of age flicks. "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" is usually written off as a comedy but it's actually more of a drama with comedic touches (a dramedy). It's a great coming-of-age film.
"Cutback" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1782415/?ref_=fn_tt_tt_1 is a newer one (2010) that I saw recently and I was really impressed for an independent flick. It's a drama, not a comedy or dramedy, but there are some lighter moments.
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I looked this one up. It doesn't sound the same...the teen is a boy in this one as well. Only the older person is a girl. Also, Netflix doesn't have "The Lifeguard" available for rent (It has the green "Save" button).
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I obviously typed something wrong. I assumed when you said "female version," that that the teen character would be girl too. I had not heard about that movie until now.
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