Coming of age films generally revolve around one certain even signifying the transition into maturity. Its introduction and history lies heavily in the 1950s and 60s as Rebel Without A Cause became largely popular, amidst other popular works and movements like Catcher in the Rye and Beatniks, each promoting and introducing the unconventional and thought-provoking lives of teenagers. For example, Catcher in the Rye directly targeting themes of the self/societal alienation and the character's criticization of superficiality and conformity. Beatniks were teenagers and young adults who also rejected the extremely popular social conformity and mainstream consumerism - the 60's immersion into, and popular expression of, the "American Dream" - reflected in artistic expression like literature and painting during the mid-20th century. Furthermore, Dead Poet's Society is another coming of age film reflecting breaking expectations set by parental figures, or otherwise, figures in authority. Our film opening more closely reflects coming of age films, literature, and social movements of this kind rather than the more popular versions that revolve around romances and school settings, with their maturity event being love, embarrassment, adventure, or trials of reality... although this one is a trial of reality.
Before discussing traditional coming of age films, The Outsiders revolves around a group of young adults/teenagers in the 60's, explores the significance and impact of brotherhood and close relations on conventional standards of the young American man, as the group becomes entangled in gang wars and murder. For context, I haven't watched the movie. The reason for this book's relevance to the opening is mainly its extreme emphasis of the emotional impact of dramatic, life-changing events on characters rather than flippant, people-pleasing moments. I had to talk about it, it's a favorite. Anyways.
Traditional coming of age films tend to films like The Breakfast Club, Wargames, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and Love, Simon. Each of these films challenge relationships, love, and trials of the reality, albeit some... extravagant... ways like possible nuclear warfare and the evolution of supercomputers and artificial intelligence. If you like such AI warfare, I'd recommend Crucible by James Rollins. Furthermore, popular coming of age films that convey tendencies to the traditional and conventional aspects of the genre are Mean Girls, Superbad, and Lady Bird. These films are representative of the long-term traditions of similar themes across decades.
Coming of age films target teenagers and young adults, ages ranging from 13-19, and with no specifically targeted gender - the no gender specification is because of modern day's exploration of diverse representation in media and films. Additionally, modern films of the genre convey more complex themes within a simple topic, such as racism, transphobia, mental health, poverty, etc. This target audience is because of the tropes of the genre targeting first love, friendships, school, family, etc.
As our mise-en-scene elements depict, there is a desk messy and full of random items and painting materials, the characterization portrays emphasis on the freedom of expression in thoughts and emotions, and the obstructive piece/medication is representative a degrading mental health - each of these topics are relevant to the changing (or otherwise, modern) mentalities and situations that teenagers currently experience/hope to experience. Although I pray they hope for freedom rather than a degradation or regression. And pray for becoming a more organized person, as I do.
Our film opening also deviates from conventional standards as the character isn't surrounded with numerous characters, embodying a conflict closer to Man v. Self (further emphasized by a minimal cast), evident in the ending continuation as the only explicit relationships the main character has is with her dog and her psychiatrist.
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/coming-of-age-movies
https://princetonbuffer.princeton.edu/2014/06/12/the-coming-of-age-of-coming-of-age-films/#:~:text=Traditionally%2C%20the%20coming%2Dof%2D,%2C%20Weird%20Science%2C%20Heathers)%2C
https://thesixthformreview.wordpress.com/coming-of-age-films/#:~:text=According%20to%20Medium.com%2C%20coming,growing%20pains%20of%20entering%20adulthood%E2%80%9D.
Anundson, A. (2015). Carpe Diem and Coming-of-Age in Dead Poet's Society. Film Matters, 6(3), 92-94. https://doi.org/10.1386/fm.6.3.92_1
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