Teen Film

American Graffiti
Lucas, G. (1973). American Graffiti. Beverly Hills, CA. : Universal.

Plot Summary: This is an American coming -of -age tale that takes place over the course of one crazy night in the lives of a group of high school graduates – just before they are set to embark on college and the military. Curt, Steve, John and Terry meet at a local diner, and a fun-filled night of cruising, sock hops and street racing ensues. All seem to be undecided about the course of their futures. The end credits offer an update on their lives a few years later.

Critical Evaluation: American Graffiti was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, as well as for several other categories. It won the Best Picture Award (Musical or Comedy) at the Golden Globe Awards. Its accurate portrayal of teens in 1960s California was a huge hit and it spurred other films and television that featured a nostalgic look back. Character development , the mood created by the soundtrack and the excellent chemistry of the ensemble cast make the film believable.

Author Information: George Lucas, most famous for his Star Wars films, and the Indiana Jones series, used his own experiences growing up in Modesto, California as a basis for American Graffiti.

Genre: Film-Comedy

Interest Age: Teen/Adult

Challenge issues: none

Why is it included in my list? : Another classic coming-of-age film, this one created a wave of nostalgia that I grew up with in the 1970s. The mood of the film is like a documentary, and the viewer can put themselves in the shoes of the characters quite easily – an important hallmark of a good teen film.







Animal House
Kenney, D., Miller, C., & Ramis, H. (1978). Animal House. Beverly Hills, CA.: Universal.

Plot Summary: It is 1962 and Larry and Kent are two freshmen trying to get into a fraternity at Faber College. After unsuccessful attempts at several frat houses, they are accepted into the Delta house – the most undesirable fraternity on campus. Initiation rites, fraternity probation and a massive food fight are just a part of the events that follow as the Dean of the College attempts to have Delta House thrown off campus. In the end, the Delta’s marks are so low that they are expelled and they decide to pull one final stunt at the annual Homecoming Parade. The final credits indicate the fate of each cast member.

Critical Evaluation: Animal House is number 1 on Bravo’s 100 Funniest Movies and has been deemed culturally significant by the Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. It is filled with comic gems and inspired performances by John Belushi and Tim Matheson as Bluto and Otter. Although it is obviously written for humour, this film also gives the viewer a look at cliques and social systems that are prevalent on American college campuses and touches on the theme of freshmen trying to fit in.

Author Information: The authors of this screenplay have based it on experiences from their own lives as fraternity members. Stories previously published in National Lampoon Magazine by Chris Miller were used as a basis.

Genre: Film-Comedy

Interest Age: Teen/Adult

Challenge issues: sexuality, language

Why is it included in my list? : This is a hilarious film and its college freshmen trying to fit in will resonate with teen audiences.






The Breakfast Club
Hughes, J. (1985). The Breakfast Club.

Plot Summary: Five high school students face an 8 hour detention on a Saturday. Andrew is the jock, Brian is the “geek”, John is the “wastoid”, Claire is the prom queen and Allison is a psycho in this examination of stereotypes and teen angst. The group indulges in some marijuana and the resulting conversations help them realize that, despite the fact that they appear very different from each other, they all have the same fears and problems and they are really very similar.

Critical Evaluation: One of many successful films for teens in the 80’s by John Hughes, this film has become a classic treatment of teen angst and coming of age. Its ensemble cast and portrayal of real teen issues has made this film a benchmark for teen film and its depiction of teens from a variety of backgrounds evokes empathy in the viewer. The film was ranked #1 on Entertainment Weekly’s list of the 50 Best Teen Films of all Time.

Information about the Author: John Hughes was a very successful writer and director of many films for teens and adults. His teen films of the 80’s gave way to several National Lampoon films and other comedies. Home Alone is another popular film by John Hughes.

Genre: Film

Curriculum Ties: none

Interest Age: Although this film is about high school aged students, its depiction of adult themes caused it to be rated “R.”

Challenge Issues: Drug use,teen sexuality and child abuse are touched on in this film, but they are integral to the telling of the story and the development of the characters.

Why is this movie included? When one thinks of teen films, this is one of the first to come to mind. Its portrayal of teens and issues specific to them is very real and it is definitely a classic in the genre.






Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Hughes, J. (1985). Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Hollywood, CA.: Paramount.

Plot Summary: Ferris Bueller is a teen with all the tricks. When he decided to take a day of school, he enlists his best friend Cameron and his girlfriend Sloane to come with him on a romp in Chicago. After setting up an elaborate series of answering machines and disguises, the three borrow Cameron’s father’s Ferrari and have a wild time – all the while being pursued by high school principal Ed Rooney and Ferris’s sister Jeanie who know that Ferris is up to no good.

Critical Evaluation: This comedy looks at friendships, but it is mostly just for fun. Every teen wishes that they could skip school, but not many are able to have the kind of day that Ferris concocts. A unique twist of this film is the way that Ferris speaks directly to the camera – the viewer. It gives the viewer the impression that they are involved in his adventure. This is another hit from director John Hughes who was able to dial in to the teen reality quite deftly with his 1980s films.

Author Information: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off was written by John Hughes.

Genre: Film Comedy

Interest Age: Teen

Curriculum Ties: none

Challenge Issues: none

Why is it included in my list? : This is a great comedy and a feel-good film for teens. The antics, while just on the edge, are not harmful and teens can see themselves in Cameron and Sloane – if not Ferris!






Grease
Woodard, B. (1978). Grease.Hollywood, CA: Paramount.


Plot Summary: Two high school students, one American and one Australian, share a summer romance at the beach and part when summer ends. When school starts again, Danny, the head of a gang called the T-Birds and Sandy, the good girl from Australia, are surprised to find that they are attending the same school. Social differences are the cause of problems for Sandy and Danny, and in the end, both Danny and Sandy change their images to become what they think the other wants.

Critical Evaluation: This musical is a fun look back to teen culture of the 1950s and it includes music and language of that time period. Social differences are examined and the topics of teen pregnancy and street racing are touched on in a light-hearted way.

Information about the Author: Grease was originally a play for the stage, written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. The screenplay was written by Bronte Woodard.

Genre: Film-Comedy/Musical

Interest Age: teen/adult

Challenge Issues: teen sexuality, gangs

Why is it included?: This musical was a huge hit in 1978 and has become a cult classic for teens ever since.







Juno
Cody, Diablo. (2007). Juno. Hollywood, CA.: Fox Searchlight.

Plot Summary: This film tells the tale of a year in the life of Juno MacGuff – a sixteen year old high school student that learns she is pregnant after a one-time sexual encounter with her best friend Paulie. Initially, she thinks that she will have an abortion, but she decides to have the baby and give it up for adoption. She and her parents take the pregnancy in stride and Juno finds a couple to adopt her baby in a Pennysaver ad.

Critical Evaluation: This bittersweet coming-of-age film examines relationships and circumstances in the life of a teen girl. With humour and remarkable insight, the characters and story have been constructed in such a way as to make the viewer feel that they are a “fly on the wall” in Juno’s life. The film won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and had three other nominations.

Author Information: Juno was Diablo Cody’s first screenplay and she has since gone on to write the series United States of Tara, and Jennifer’s Body. She was born in 1978 in Chicago and spent a few years as a stripper before trying writing. She is aka Brook Busey-Hunt.

Genre: Film Comedy/Drama

Interest Age: Teen/Adult

Challenge Issues: Teen pregnancy/sexuality, abortion

Why is it included in my list: This is a classic coming-of-age film about a young woman and its careful telling of a familiar story makes it resonate with the viewer.







Napoleon Dynamite
Hess, J., & Hess, J .Napoleon Dynamite. (2004).


Plot Summary: This is the story of Napoleon Dyanamite, a youth who just want to fit in. He lives with his grandmother and his older brother, with frequent visits from his uncle Rico, in Preston, Idaho. Everything is unbelievably boring in Napoleon’s life until a new kid arrives in town. Pedro is from Mexico and he has an awesome bike and a mustache. Napoleon convinces Pedro to run for class president against a popular incumbent and after a memorable campaign – especially the pre-election assembly – Pedro is elected.

Critical Evaluation: A wonderful examination of teen angst and wanting to fit in, this film perfectly depicts the existence of the title character as a lonely, unpopular teenaged boy. The harshness of high school cliques is examined and the memorable characters in the film make the viewer cheer for them. Everyone can relate to the desire to fit in and this film has universal appeal.

Author Information: Jared Hess is a writer, actor and director. He also wrote Nacho Libre in 2006 with his wife Jerusha.

Genre: Film- Comedy

Interest Age: Teen

Challenge issues: none

Why is this included in my list? : The characters, the language and the scenario make this a classic teen film.

Quote: “He’s out to prove he’s got nothing to prove!”







Pretty in Pink


Plot Summary: This film focuses on the differences between high school cliques. The jocks, the richies, etc. Two worlds collide when a girl, Andie, from the other side of the tracks, meets Blaine, one of the “richies.” The trials of their relationship are complicated by Duckie, Andie’s best friend since childhood who has a not-so-secret crush on her. In the end, true love prevails!

Critical Evaluation: Although this film is a light romantic comedy, it also delves into socio-economic differences between the two parties in a teen relationship and highlights their coming of age. The soundtrack is an important part of the film, Andie works in a record shop, as is the theme of true friendship – like those that exist between Andie and her friends Iona and Duckie. In fact, Blaine’s friendships are seen to be more shallow and pretentious. Overall, the message that one must be true to oneself, despite societal pressure, comes across loud and clear.
Author Information: John Hughes wrote and directed this teen angst film – one of several hits of the 1980’s.

Genre: Film- Romantic Comedy

Interest Age: Teen

Challenge Issues: none

Why is it included in my List? : This is a classic coming-of-age film and it is a perfect example of a genre that really took of in the 1980s – thanks to director John Hughes.It also has a great 80s soundtrack.








Rebel Without A Cause
Stern, Stewart. (1955). Rebel without a cause. Warner Home Video, 2007.

Plot Summary: In this film, James Dean plays troubled teenager, Jim Stark. We first see Jim at the police station where he has been arrested for public intoxication. When his parents and grandmother come to the police station to retrieve him, we are introduced to their family dynamic and some of the reason for Jim’s difficulty making himself understood. Jim gets into further trouble at school when he gets involved with Buzz, the school bully. In the meantime, Jim meets Judy and romance blossoms. Jim befriends a young boy, Plato, and they commiserate about parents who don’t understand them. In the end tragedy strikes and in its aftermath, Jim and his parents come to an understanding.

Critical Evaluation: Originally released in 1955, this film deals with teen issues in a sincere fashion and became a symbol of youth trying to discover themselves. It was one of the first films to focus on teen angst and behavior in post-war Hollywood and James Dean’s death just before the release of the film, made it and him an icon.
Information about the author: Nicholas Ray, the author of the original story, was nominated for an Academy Award for film story.
Genre: Film Drama

Interest Age:Teen/adult

Challenge Issues: Many reviews state that a homo-erotic thread runs throughout the film between James Dean and Sal Mineo.

Why is it included in my list? This film is a classic story of a juvenile delinquent who shuns authority and is unable to conform to societal pressures. It was one of the first films to deal with teen angst.







To Sir with Love


Clavell, J. (1967). To Sir with love. Beverly Hills, CA. : Columbia.

Plot Summary: Sidney Poitier stars in this film based on the book by E. R. Braithwaite. He is a black teacher who must teach a class of predominantly troubled white students in a London school. At first the students will not listen to the soft-spoken teacher who tries to introduce decorum to the classroom, but at the story progresses, his inspiration leads some of the students to discover a new level of maturity and cooperation.

Critical Evaluation: Although this film contains an examination of social and racial issues in the 1960s, it is mostly focused on the relationship between a teacher and his students. Teen angst is set against the backdrop of London, England and although this film was released over 40 years ago, the themes portrayed are timeless.
Author Information: A prolific writer of books and screenplays, like Shogun, Clavell wrote, directed and produced To Sir With Love, based on Brathwaite’s semi-autobiographical book.

Genre: Film-Drama

Interest Age: Teen/Adult

Challenge issues: teen pregnancy/sexuality

Why is it included in my list? As one of the earliest coming of age films, To Sir with Love is a classic. It also made Entertainment Weekly’s list of the 50 Best High School Movies.

Quote: Those school-girl days, of pony-tails and biting nails are gone…from the song “To Sir with Love” by Lulu.