The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland List: Coming-of-Age Dramas

 How often do you sit there thinking about what to watch? You might have an endless watchlist that keeps piling up (I certainly have one myself). Sometimes you are just in the mood for a type of film or a certain filmmaker or actor and want to take yourself into a deep dive. As someone who watches so many movies, I have people asking me for recommendations all the time. One of the best feelings as a cinephile is recommending a film and that person loves it. Take this wealth of cinematic knowledge and experience and enjoy some recommendations on me. Genre. Subgenre. Filmmaker. Actor. Composer. Writer. Genre. Story. Trope. Cliché. Any other cinematic elements or them. Here is The Wasteland List:   

Coming-of-Age Dramas

Pather Panchali (1955)

Who is the most significant filmmaker to come out of India? Satyajit Ray crafted so many films that spoke to audiences on a deeply human level and his Apu Trilogy is the crown jewel of them all. Pather Panchali sees a young boy (whose father has left to find work elsewhere) must grow up quickly in his impoverished Indian village.

The 400 Blows (1959)

What happens when a rambunctious French boy is left to his own devices? The 400 Blows is a raw and sharply crafted figure piece of the French New Wave by director Francois Truffaut. Jean-Pierre Leaud’s performance as the young Antoine is iconic and so is this film that explores his struggles at home and school.

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

What is one of the most iconic and influential coming-of-age stories of all time? Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is brought to life by Robert Mulligan and one of fiction’s greatest heroes by the masterful Gregory Peck. But this tale is one of a young girl who must grow up when she sees the world and the racism in it become real before her eyes.

Stand by Me (1986)

What is THE coming-of-age story of the 1980s? Stephen King’s The Body comes to life with such powerful resonance in the hands of the late Rob Reiner. The quartets of Will Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O’Connell make for some of the best child performances on screen and an endlessly engaging and relatable journey to find a dead body.

Cinema Paradiso (1988)

What film captures the influence of film on a young person the best? You do not have to look any further than Guiseppe Tornatore’s masterful Cinema Paradiso which shows the growth of a young man being mentored by a film projectionist. The iconic score from Ennio Morricone elevates a tale of maturing, romance, and film that delivers one of the most cathartic cinematic experiences you will ever have.

Dead Poets Society (1989)

Who was that teacher in your life that made the biggest impact on you? Few films capture that power of the mentorship and connect with Peter Weir’s affecting and haunting drama, Dead Poets Society. Robin Williams’ turn as Mr. Keating is truly iconic and this crew of students have a journey full of loss, creativity, and growth.

A Bronx Tale (1993)

Who says your coming-of-age story can’t have a little mafia crime drama elements thrown in? Goodfellas might be more famous and beloved, but A Bronx Tale is a little more focused on the growth of a young man, who is stuck between two fathers (a mobster and his bus driver father). The passion and storytelling of Chazz Palminteri and Robert De Niro bring this authentic and engaging tale to life.

Good Will Hunting (1997)

What is a significant part of life that has great growth but less highlighted by coming-of-age stories? Your early twenties are a significant time and Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s Good Will Hunting is such a great representation of someone lost at that time. Damon’s Will is a great protagonist, but Robin Williams’ Dr. Sean Maguire is one of the most beloved therapist characters to grace the silver screen.

Persepolis (2007)

What is a cinematic approach that has delivered countless coming-of-age tales? Most might think of fantasy when it comes to animation but a film like Persepolis shows that you can tell a grounded film with flair as well. This is a harrowing and moving tale of a precocious and outspoken young Muslim girl growing up during the Islamic Revolution.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

What is one of the most underappreciated adaptations of coming-of-age literature in the 21^st century? Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower comes to life with such power and life as a young high schooler is taken under wing by a pair of charismatic seniors. This film has plenty of highs and lows brought to life by an excellent cast anchored by Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller.

The Edge of Seventeen (2016)

Who is one of the best teen actors in recent memory who crafted some of the best young characters in the last twenty years. Hailee Steinfeld has been one of the greatest rising stars in film and her charismatic turn as young Nadine in The Edge of Seventeen is so fun and authentic. Kelly Fremon Craig’s film certainly has its humor, but it navigates young love, loss, and the awkwardness of your teen years.

Eighth Grade (2018)

What is the most awkward and uncomfortable time of youth? Middle School…and Bo Burnham captures the awkwardness of a young girl in 8^th grade with impressive tack and authenticity. Eighth Grade is one of the best examples of growing up in a digital age with social media and has resonated so well since.