Arisha Iman
Not to sound like an angsty teenager, but growing up can be a brutal experience. It's strange seeing how life progresses and how we learn as we live. It's one of those things that is bound to happen to someone whether they wish for it or not. In a way that's how life works and we just have to deal with it. Personally, the way I like to deal with my life is by consuming media where the characters are in the same life stage or dealing with similar growing experiences as me. It's nice to be able to seek comfort in media that’s actually realistic and conveys indescribable feelings the way one wishes they can. On that note look up trigger warnings before watching any of these movies in case that is something you are concerned about. Enjoy!
1. Perks of Being a Wallflower (2013)
Running time: 1h45m
Rating: PG 13
Director: Stephen Chbosky
Cast: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Erza Miller, Paul Rudd, and more
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
This is the kind of movie where each time you watch it, you notice something new. I am convinced that with every viewing of this movie, you can find a new character to relate to. It is truly an amazing movie and it covers some very important topics and portrays them accurately. Alongside that, it has quotes that are comforting and nice reminders. What I like is that it feels real; I can see the people in my life as characters from the movie. If you are into reading, I highly recommend reading the book as well. It’s written using a letter format and is just as impactful as the movie. However, look up trigger warnings for this one.
2. Dead Poets Society (1989)
Running time: 2h8m
Rating: PG 13
Director: Peter Weir
Cast: Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke, Josh Charles, and more
Where to watch: Disney+
An excellent way to teach people is through a movie. It has the power to transform society and alter people's ideas. This movie is a comparable endeavor. It covers a wide range of significant aspects of human existence and education. It is a movie filled with great morals and shows how literature can bring people together. Literature and self-expression can keep one sane as well, and that’s commonly shown in the movie. It also showcases how you should try to live your life the best you can with the latin phrase “carpe diem” which translates to "seize the day" in English.
3. The Outsiders (1983)
Running time: 1h31m
Rating: PG 13
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Cast: C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, and more
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
One of my all time favourite movies (and books) is The Outsiders. I am forever grateful I discovered this from a close friend rather than through school because my viewpoint on this movie would have been totally different; most likely, I wouldn’t like it as much. Anyway, this movie is timeless. It may take place in the sixties but it's still valid today. One of the movie's most fascinating aspects is how masterfully it strikes a balance between the happiness and the melancholy of adolescence. These children adore one another dearly and desire nothing more than to continue having fun together forever without having to consider the consequences. But reality keeps reminding them that things can't go on eternally; adulthood is just around the corner, the troubles and obligations with it. Stay gold, Ponyboy, stay gold!
4. Lady Bird (2017)
Running time: 1h34m
Rating: R
Director: Greta Gerwig
Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts, Lucas Hedges, and more
Where to watch: Crave TV
Lady Bird is one of the best-reviewed movies of all time, with a 99% score on Rotten Tomatoes. It follows a strong-willed girl and her relationship with her equally strong-willed mother. It's basically the reality of those who wish to have a relationship with their mom like Rory and Lorelai from Gilmore Girls. What stood out to me the most about this movie is the ending because she realized what she was chasing after and sacrificing previous relationships for wasn’t what she actually wanted. This movie shows what it's like to be alive and realize things about your life on your own at just the right time.
5. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Running time: 1h43m
Rating: PG 13
Director: John Hughes
Cast: Matthew Broderick , Alan Ruck , Mia Sara , Jeffrey Jones, and more
Where to watch: Paramount+
I would absolutely adore taking a day off of high school with basically no negative consequences just like Ferris Bueller did in this movie. This movie fully showcases the phrase carpe diem (seize the day). This classic film makes one realize we aren’t going to be a teenager forever so we might as well make the best out of it. Just like Ferris said at the end of the movie, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
6. The Breakfast Club (1985)
Running time: 1h37m
Rating: R
Director: John Hughes
Cast: Emilio Estevez, Paul Gleason, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, and more
Where to watch: Netflix
Five kids stuck in detention all from different social cliques. What is admirable about this movie is that it puts a common thought most people have into action. The thought known as sonder, which is basically the realization that the people around you have a life that is just as complex as your own. Much like all the other movies on this list, it shows common things people go through and teaches some sort of life lesson. A cliché life lesson, yes, but one that’s often overlooked and can be linked to deeper things.
7. Mean girls (2004)
Running time: 1h37m
Rating: PG 13
Director: Mark Waters
Cast: Lindsay Lohan,Jonathan Bennett, Rachel McAdams,Tina Fey, and more
Where to watch: Paramount+
Downfall of high school’s social structure and social cliques alongside a 2000’s pop sound track. In theory, yes, this movie explores a common teen movie trope, but it’s one that’s done well. The pop culture relevance this movie still has baffles me, but that’s besides the point. I am fully aware this movie teaches you cliché life lessons but if I’m being honest, often, cliché life lessons are the ones people need to be reminded of the most. As a society we tend to forget simpler things and this movie shows lessons like that. It also shows the impact that social dynamics can have on us, and the difficulties of navigating high school in a realistic manner.
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