It’s the latest trend in moviemaking: the coming-of-age story – told in various decades, from the perspective of kids at various ages, and in different styles.
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” (2012), “The Spectacular Now” (2013) and the underrated “The Way, Way Back” (also 2013) showcased teen angst.
But the trend really kicked into high gear with 2014’s “Boyhood”, Richard Linklater’s groundbreaking (yet, in my opinion, only somewhat successful) look at growing-up, shot over 12 years. Everyone saw what that film (tried to) accomplished and wanted to put their own spin on things.
Ireland has taken centerstage in this genre, with 2015’s “Brooklyn”, starring Saoirse Ronan, about a young woman in the 50s who must choose between one country or another. And 2016’s powerhouse musical “Sing Street” perfectly depicts a young Irish lad in the 80s trying to win over a girl through music.
2015’s “Dope” and 2016’s “Moonlight” showed the progression of African American boys becoming men, with the latter using three actors.
“The Edge of Seventeen” (2016), with Hailee Steinfeld, about a high school girl still unsure about the rest of her life, was made by writer/director Kelly Fremon Craig.
Last year’s “Call Me by Your Name” looked at a 17-year-old in the 1983. And dueling A24 efforts “The Florida Project” (set in present day) and “Lady Bird” (set in 2002) presented strong young women – one age six, the other seventeen – facing life challenges
Now the studio is at it again, with their acclaimed modern coming-of-age dramedy “Eighth Grade”, from comedian Bo Burnham, headlining theaters – and Jonah Hill’s directorial debut “Mid 90s” (about growing up in the… Mid 90s) is set for release this Fall.
The majority of these movies primarily focus on one young person – and how that person sees the people and the world around them. Is it a bit of over-saturation? Yes. Some of these movies are much better at impacting the genre and us than others (“Eighth Grade” being right at the top of the list).
But as always, Hollywood is the last to figure these things out, so I’m sure they’ll keep on coming for the next few years or so until something else captures their attention.