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The 10 Best Coming-of-Age Movies

A Seriously Random List LVIII / Dustin Rowles

Seriously Random Lists | February 20, 2009 | Comments (143)

For much of the last week, I have been huddled in a tiny motel room in what I think must be the worst town in all of America, save for Detroit: White River Junction, Vermont. I randomly chose a city in New England to, essentially, hide out for a few days and finish a coming-of-age memoir I’ve been working on for years (I know: How much more cliché can you get? Go fuck yourself). Coming-of-age novels has always been my favorite literary genre, from This Boy’s Life to Catcher in a Rye to King Dork and even the recent, I Love You, Beth Cooper, the trailer of which Dan featured in Monday’s trade news (and gah! Christopher Columbus, what have you done to Larry Doyle’s book? You fucking hack). It wasn’t a huge surprise to see, after having completed the list below, that half of the best coming-of-age movies would also make my all-time top ten.

It is a lot more difficult, cinematically, to produce a truly great coming-of-age movie. In putting together a proper top ten, I realized that there may be only ten good ones out there, if you limit the definition — as I would — to movies that track more than one event, night, or weekend in the main character’s life. I’m of the belief that you can’t really come of age overnight, no matter how mind shattering that blow job is. It happens over the course of months, or years. Thus, all of John Hughes’ films were excluded, as were films like Superbad, although my narrowed definition did, unfortunately, weed out the very deserving Stand By Me.

Indeed, the best coming-of-age movies are almost always fish-out-of-water films; the water is our youth, and coming of age is how we acclimate ourselves to it. The better of these reminded us of what it was like to flop around trying to catch our breath.

10. Basketball Diaries

9. Angus

8. About a Boy

7. The Wackness

6. Dead Poets Society

5. What’s Eating Gilbert Grape

4. Rushmore

3. Rocket Science

2. Billy Elliot

1. Almost Famous









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Comments

May we add Empire of the Sun to this list as well?

Just queued some of these oldies but still goodies, great list!

Posted by: Be Adequite! at February 20, 2009 2:06 PM

Harold and Maude and My Life as a Dog would be on my list.

Posted by: Cindy at February 20, 2009 2:08 PM

The Goonies.
MMMM. Baby Ruth.

Posted by: Jadashay at February 20, 2009 2:08 PM

And...not one of these has a female as the main character. Why not include something like Whale Rider?

Posted by: Koolickle at February 20, 2009 2:10 PM

Did I miss something? Do females not come of age?

Posted by: samantha t at February 20, 2009 2:10 PM

Good call Be Adequite!

Posted by: admin at February 20, 2009 2:10 PM

My list consists of John Highes films in positions 2 through 9. Spot number one goes to The Goonies, with an honorable mention going to Christmas Story.

But I guess Basketball Diaries was aight.

Posted by: Clee Shay at February 20, 2009 2:12 PM

I went to see About a Boy in the middle of a work day at a prodigiously decrepit theatre near my apartment. The floors were sticky with thirty years of spilled soda, and horse flies the size of unladen swallows had taken up residence in the theatre itself. I was bitten several times throughout the film.

When I bought my ticket and entered the theatre, the person taking the ticket stubs was a wrinkled prune of an old woman, with one milky eye staring blindly off to the right and both a harelip and a hairy upper lip. She looked up at me from her power wheel chair, her one working eye focusing on me with a distressing gleam, and she crooned "come see me after the show and I'll show you a few things about being a boy!"

So that's my story about "About a Boy." Good film, lousy atmosphere.

Posted by: stipe42 at February 20, 2009 2:17 PM

Billie Elliot is a fucking FANTASTIC coming of age movie. Great choice. Should be ahead of Almost Famous.

Posted by: boo at February 20, 2009 2:17 PM

While this is, as always, just Dustin's head, it doesn't seem like girls get many good bildungsromans from Hollywood, but I'm interested in what would make the list as all I can think of are things like "Gold Diggers: The Secret of Bear Mountain", and that's not a cheering thought.

Posted by: Jay at February 20, 2009 2:19 PM

boo, the poor kid gets enough stick as it is without his name getting feminized!

Posted by: Jay at February 20, 2009 2:21 PM

If Stand by Me isn't on this list, the whole thing is null and void in my opinion.

Posted by: Austin at February 20, 2009 2:26 PM

And this reminds me I probably oughta write that "Rushmore" Blockbusters I've been pondering. Max can be almost as divisive as Nick Hornby!

When I walked out of an "About A Boy" matinee I realized I had been the only male in the theater. "Wow...the 'Guys Writer' is now a Hugh Grant movie and we're all together!", which I found amusing and cheering, since I'd had to defend the book a few years earlier.

Posted by: Jay at February 20, 2009 2:26 PM

Um, hello? The Omen, anyone? Get it together, people.

Posted by: TK at February 20, 2009 2:27 PM

Don't do that when I'm drinking something, TK!

Posted by: Jay at February 20, 2009 2:28 PM

Whale Rider is a great coming of age movie about a Maori girl trying to break the sexism mold.

I typically don't like Michelle Rodriguez but Girlfight was pretty good.

Also Professional wins hands down.

Posted by: Trollin' at February 20, 2009 2:28 PM

I'd put Vision Quest on my list.

Posted by: ed newman at February 20, 2009 2:28 PM

To Kill A Mockingbird anyone? Classic film, as well as about a girl.

Posted by: Jeni at February 20, 2009 2:30 PM

and Breaking Away. "No More Idi foods!".

Posted by: ed newman at February 20, 2009 2:30 PM

Oh, The Professional!!! Hells yes!

Rabbit-Proof Fence?

Little Darlings?

Paper Moon?

They may not be "traditional" coming of age movies, but the leads ARE female!!!

Posted by: dammitjanet at February 20, 2009 2:32 PM

Jay, here are some varied movies with female leads that are great coming of age tales:

Already mentioned - Whale Rider
Slums of Beverly Hills
Thirteen
16 Candles
Rabbit Proof Fence
Welcome to the Dollhouse

The list is a great list if it were for male coming of age stories only...but it really should have at least one film with a female perspective.

Posted by: Koolickle at February 20, 2009 2:33 PM

Are there coming of age movies for girls? I'm mean, besides porn?

Posted by: Ted at February 20, 2009 2:33 PM

Totally forgot about Rabbit Proof Fence.

A+ goes to damnitjanet.

Posted by: Trollin' at February 20, 2009 2:34 PM

How about Heavenly Creatures? Directed by Peter Jackson? It's sort of a coming of age story...

Posted by: Helen at February 20, 2009 2:37 PM

Am I a bad person if I read Rabbit Proof Fence and thought it was boring? I know the story was pretty fantastic and amazing they made it, but I was just so, so bored by it.

I guess I'm kind of a bastard.

I haven't seen the movie so I can't say as to how I would rate it.

Posted by: Snath at February 20, 2009 2:38 PM

Slums of Beverly Hills

Welcome to the Dollhouse

Painful but definitely good movies.

Posted by: Jay at February 20, 2009 2:38 PM

All Over Me is an awesome little under-appreciated comming-of-age for the female set.

Posted by: AtWork at February 20, 2009 2:39 PM

I do not appreciate your jabs at Detroit. I have been much worse places, like Flint or Gary (IN.)

Posted by: Nimue at February 20, 2009 2:40 PM

I love most of these films.

I hate that every single one is from the male perspective.

Come on: Whale Rider, Juno, Bend It Like Beckham, My American Cousin, Ghost World, Girl Interrupted, The Virgin Suicides . . . aren't ANY of those contenders? GAH . . . .

Posted by: Lauren at February 20, 2009 2:40 PM

I do not appreciate your jabs at Detroit. I have been much worse places, like Flint or Gary (IN.) Or the entire state of West Virginia.

Posted by: Nimue at February 20, 2009 2:41 PM

Snath the movie of RPF is devastating. The native girls in the leads are phenomenal. Jeebus calibeezus, white people (read: ruling pricks) have been bastards all over the friggin' planet!

Posted by: dammitjanet at February 20, 2009 2:42 PM

I realize it doesn't fit Rowles' criteria, but Dazed and Confused is a fantastic coming of age movie.

Posted by: phaedawg at February 20, 2009 2:43 PM

Also, Ginger Snaps.

Posted by: TK at February 20, 2009 2:46 PM

Come on:...Juno...
I would disagree on Juno. Instead of a coming of age film, it's more about coming and failing to be of age. Plus, it sucked.

I think everyone's clearly forgetting one of the most classic series of female coming of age films, The Poison Ivy series.

It's a true testiment to the empowered female and her awakening sexuality in the later years of her adolescence. It's also a call to arms against the established patriarchy by using a woman's true nature and her environment.

Mostly, it's about Drew Barrymore giving a boner to Tom Skerritt and the societal implications of what happens when other girls decide to go down that same path, only with incrimentally diminished results.

Posted by: Mike R. at February 20, 2009 2:48 PM

I think we all learned something from the movie Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. If I would have found a mongoose washed up after a flood, I probably would have just kicked it aside instead of nursing it back to health with bananas. So the boy taught us to keep and raise vermin who might pay us back big time someday. That's REAL coming of age people!

See, I've just raised the bar here.

Posted by: bucslim at February 20, 2009 2:50 PM

I also forgot to mention the seminal classic, Showgirls. That one's hard to beat.

Posted by: Mike R. at February 20, 2009 2:51 PM

"Oh, The Professional!!! Hells yes!" - Hell YES!
My American Cousin? Total groovy!
New Waterford Girl. Little seen Canadian movie perhaps, but a really good one IMHO.
And the Jeremy Irons Lolita. Actually that's more of a "destroyed coming of age" movie.

That said, for the boys, does Hope and Glory count? The Breakfast Club? And although it might be controversial choice, the very first Star Wars (the real one) was kinda mine.

Posted by: Odnon at February 20, 2009 2:55 PM

female coming of age, hmmm female coming of age ... ah, how did we leave out Lolita?

Posted by: stipe42 at February 20, 2009 2:55 PM

Jay. you fucking kill me brother. I love you.

Also, Snath, the RPF movie is intoxicating. Be sure to watch the making-of documentaries, and be prepared to have your mind blown by those little girls...

Posted by: boo at February 20, 2009 2:59 PM

White River Junction? I've been there! Or at least I have eaten at the terrible Chinese restaurant at the bus stop and then gotten back on the bus to Burlington. I didn't realize there was anything besides the bus stop IN WRJ. Hmm.

It is tough to find female coming-of-age films...or at least ones that don't involve rape or pregnancy or stupid traveling pants. Real Women Have Curves was pretty good I thought. I suppose you could count Ghost World. Could this be a mini-diversion?

Posted by: Siege at February 20, 2009 2:59 PM

Oh, oh.....Crazy Moon.

Dare ya to find THAT one....

Posted by: dammitjanet at February 20, 2009 2:59 PM

Also, I can't think of What's Eating Gilbert Grape without the Zombie Retitle Diversion and "What's Gilbert Grape Eating?" popping into my head.

Posted by: Odnon at February 20, 2009 3:00 PM

A few more girl-centric coming of age movies:

Real Women Have Curves
Pauline at the Beach
The Chalk Garden
Flirting (sort of)
Now and Then (albeit Hollywood treacle)
My Girl
Ghost World

Apparently, the works of Judy Blume are just not filmable or something, because seriously-Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. is like the adolescent girl's Bible.

Posted by: Alabamapink at February 20, 2009 3:02 PM

Hell yeah to Ginger Snaps. I freaking love that flim. I love how the mom bakes Ginger a cake when she gets her period. Ghost World was pretty awesome too. And since Dustin mentioned King Dork (the book), I now have King Dork (the song) stuck in my head.

Posted by: s. pisaster at February 20, 2009 3:04 PM

Odnon - I came up with that, but fuck-all if I didn't make the list.

Posted by: bucslim at February 20, 2009 3:06 PM

Towelhead?

Posted by: Snath at February 20, 2009 3:07 PM

I have to say that I found the characters so much more sympathetic in the "Ghost World" movie. The book characters felt very accurate, but accurate of girls I can't stand.

I was hoping you'd notice the "Ginger Snaps" shoutout, Ms. pisaster.

Posted by: Jay at February 20, 2009 3:08 PM

Mike R. Showgirls was a seminal classic? Bwahahaha!

Oh and hell yeah Welcome to the Dollhouse. "Yo Weiner, you better get ready, 'cause at three o' clock today, I'm gonna RAPE you!"

Posted by: MG at February 20, 2009 3:09 PM

Dustin is gay.

Posted by: courtney at February 20, 2009 3:11 PM

Mike R.:

Wouldn't Showgirls be considered a semenal coming of age film?

Posted by: Bad Pun Time at February 20, 2009 3:12 PM

Perhaps Showgirls was more of a coming of age film...

Posted by: MG at February 20, 2009 3:15 PM

Yes indeed, every young aspiring woman takes that timeless journey of learning that dancin ain't fuckin. It speaks to every generation.

Posted by: Jay at February 20, 2009 3:16 PM

I can't see deeming "Lolita" a coming-of-age story. It's quite the antithesis, really. That being said, I cannot believe somebody wrote "Little Darlings." Talk about an underrated little gem of a movie. How much did I love McNichol and O'Neal? God, Tatum. You were the purtiest thing alive, as far as I was concerned.

I understand Rowles's criteria, but "Stand by Me" is just so much better than some of this listed, i.e. "About a Boy" (which I liked, but come on).

"Towelhead" is pretty damned good, too, for more recent examples.

Any good coming-of-age movies for non-white kids? Whale Rider's a good example (God, how hard did I cry at her little speech at the end about her grandfather?).

(I know, I know - "Towelhead" was about a Lebanese girl. But she was Christian and there's a whole thing with that.)

Posted by: samantha t at February 20, 2009 3:16 PM

And "Lucas", people!

Posted by: samantha t at February 20, 2009 3:17 PM

Any good coming-of-age movies for non-white kids?

"Fresh"

Posted by: Jay at February 20, 2009 3:19 PM

Wondrous Oblivion is a good one as well. It's about a Jewish boy obsessed with cricket in South London.

Imitation of Life is an oldie but goodie.

Posted by: Trollin' at February 20, 2009 3:22 PM

Seconded, Jay.

Posted by: jM at February 20, 2009 3:23 PM

I would like to nominate Monsieur Ibrahim for the non-white kids. It's about a 15 year old Turkish or Algerian orphan who "comes of age" in a French "faubourg (ghetto)" with the help of some prostitutes and a Sufi shopkeeper he frequently steals from. C'est magnifique.

Posted by: Agente Provocatrice at February 20, 2009 3:26 PM

Cheers, Odnon--New Waterford Girl is a terrific coming-of-age movie! Also, New Waterford is about a half hour from home for me. Nice to see a little local movie get a shout-out.

Posted by: meaux at February 20, 2009 3:30 PM

I probably would have just kicked it aside

Mongeeses? Vermin? How dare you, sir? I'll just let Nag bite your stupid ass and eat the children next time.

For non-whites, how about Fresh or Boyz in the Hood? Somewhat genre-specific, I know ....

Posted by: rikkitikkitavi at February 20, 2009 3:38 PM

Really? Nobody? Nothing???

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090882/

Posted by: dammitjanet at February 20, 2009 3:38 PM

I also take offense to the jab at Detroit. It is barely the third crappiest city in Michigan. Saginaw and Flint are both worse than D-town.

Posted by: battgirl at February 20, 2009 3:44 PM

Yay meaux! I loved that movie. "Meat darts!!"
I've had the biggest crush On Tara Spencer-Nairn since then and watch Corner Gas as much for her as anything.

That said, I do have to shamefacedly recant Breakfast Club, as it dosn't fit the criteria. I just dug it so much when it came out.

Posted by: Odnon at February 20, 2009 3:46 PM

I just can't believe that you left out The Sandlot! Also, I would give honorable mentions to My Girl and The Man in the Moon.

Posted by: Scannakate at February 20, 2009 3:53 PM

Now wait a second, if everyone is so interested in girly coming of age movies, then why has no one mentioned "13"?

Posted by: Xtreme at February 20, 2009 3:54 PM

Ooh, also Manic, although that does have yet another male main character.

And what about Saved!? Or Happy Campers?

Posted by: Siege at February 20, 2009 3:58 PM

Foxfire, man. Coming of age movie for girls. Mostly those girls are white, sure, but one of them is Asian.

Posted by: Melodie at February 20, 2009 3:59 PM

Foxfire, man. Coming of age movie for girls. Mostly those girls are white, sure, but one of them is Asian.

Posted by: Melodie at February 20, 2009 4:00 PM

Great list.

Again: WHY THE FUCK ISN'T ANGUS ON DVD?

Posted by: TL at February 20, 2009 4:00 PM

I think Almost Famous is one of the most overrated movies of all time.

There, I said it.

Also, Stand by Me? The hell, Rowles!

To Kill a Mockingbird and Spirited Away are two fantastic coming-of-age films about girls.

Sheesh.

Posted by: figgy at February 20, 2009 4:03 PM

Have you *seen* Dead Poets Society recently? Having loved it in high school, I re-watched it last year as I was planning to show parts of it to a high school lit. class, and I was horrified by its expression (and un-questioning normalization) of white, hetero-normative male ascension and superiority. Sure, it calls into question the "establishment" represented by the Sean William Scott character's father and the old stodgies that teach at the university, but Robin Williams' teacher offers merely an alternative means of hegemony to these boys. Ugh. I was grossed out.

As far as female coming-of-age movies are concerned, I taught a class that posited that the female coming-of-age is something of a misnomer, that male coming-of-age stories (in both film and literature) show the character's development from boy into "real man" and that - at least in traditional western culture - there's no need for a girl to develop into "woman" since the passing of the girl from father to husband necessitates that she remain, in effect, a child.

I'm not saying female coming-of-age stories don't exist (particularly now), but they tend to take a very different narrative arc than the traditional, Dead Poets Society male coming-of age story.

Posted by: pseudoliterati at February 20, 2009 4:06 PM

Do you mean Robert Sean Leonard? Please don't confuse Dr. Wilson with Stifler.

Posted by: dammitjanet at February 20, 2009 4:12 PM

Pseudo: Of course, now that I'm old as hell I completely identify with the mean father who told his son they couldn't afford for him to be an actor.

I'd probably have been nicer about it, though.

Posted by: samantha t at February 20, 2009 4:12 PM

Very good point, pseudo. I might not kill Dustin after all.

But I still say Spirited Away needs to go up there.

Posted by: figgy at February 20, 2009 4:24 PM

Dustin, you live in MAINE. You have to kill a bear before you can scrape the ice off the snowmobile that you ride to work. I can't imagine they have cities there beyond the odd fort that's cobbled together from logs, and that's just to keep the wolves out at night.
Great list though. Just lay off Detroit, you scruffy lookin' nerfherder.

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at February 20, 2009 4:34 PM

Someone mentioned "The Man in the Moon" It's excellent...check it out if you haven't already (The 1991 movie with Reese Witherspoon - not the more recent Jim Carrey biopic on Andy Kaufman)

Posted by: Pablo at February 20, 2009 4:37 PM

I'd add Gas Food Lodging and Girls Town as contenders for female coming-of-age films.

Posted by: Lizzie (greeneyed fem) at February 20, 2009 5:05 PM

Where the hell is The Sandlot???
Greatest freakin' growing-up movie of all time!
It should make every list forever. For-ev-er. For-ev-er....

Posted by: RhymesWithSilver at February 20, 2009 5:12 PM

"Do you mean Robert Sean Leonard? Please don't confuse Dr. Wilson with Stifler."

Doh. These actors and their triples names.

Posted by: pseudoliterati at February 20, 2009 5:25 PM

Enter Laughing.

Coming of age for actors.

-Ralphie

Posted by: Ralphie at February 20, 2009 5:30 PM

all the real girls
morvern callar
the outsiders
harold and maude
ghost world
buffalo 66
grease
to sir with love
breaking away
the apprenticeship of duddie kravitz
c.r.a.z.y.
crooklyn
welcome to the dollhouse
the breakfast club
ruby in paradise
cinema paradiso
the 400 blows
summer of sam

Posted by: celery at February 20, 2009 5:32 PM

I think sometimes the one night represents the extended event of coming of age... even though obviously nobody comes of age in one night in real life, it's happening in an hour or two whether it takes place in one night or a lifetime, so I think sometimes the time frame isn't as important as the lessons learned.

Thus I also would have included Dazed and Confused.

Posted by: Eep at February 20, 2009 5:35 PM

TOMMY

Posted by: celery at February 20, 2009 5:36 PM

Ignoring your rules...

Stand By Me
E.T.
Running On Empty
Breaking Away
The Sandlot
Y Tu Mama Tambien
Every episode of The Wonder Years

Posted by: Borg at February 20, 2009 5:41 PM

One more: Carrie.

Coming of age for the really pissed-off in high school.
Kind of the dark side of 16 Candles

-Ralphie

Posted by: Ralphie at February 20, 2009 5:41 PM

Being someone who's own coming of age happened in one tragic moment that ripped my world apart I'd have to disagree with Rowles.

So can we all agree Stand By Me should be #1? (or maybe #2, Almost Famous is pretty damn good)

Posted by: the other kafka at February 20, 2009 5:41 PM

And I apologize for the grammar error on who's. I blame it on the minor concussion I received playing Ultimate Frisbee last night.

Posted by: the other kafka at February 20, 2009 5:43 PM

motorcycle diaries
year of the dog
jesus son

Posted by: celery at February 20, 2009 5:44 PM

You forgot, "Let The Right One In"

Posted by: returnofthesmith at February 20, 2009 5:48 PM

I forgot one more (serious) entry into this list...Secondhand Lions. Boy or girl, telling the difference between stories and reality, and choosing which one is a better code to live by, is a pretty good message.

Posted by: Mike R. at February 20, 2009 5:48 PM

Towelhead. Wasn't that a girl coming of age movie?

Posted by: BWeaves at February 20, 2009 6:17 PM

can't wait for you to start pimpin' the book/story (and I'm not even being sarcastic)

Posted by: anikitty at February 20, 2009 6:22 PM

For the ladies, I would submit Bend it Like Beckham. It's all about coming to terms with what you want to do being opposite of what your parents or culture want you to do. Also, football/soccer.

Posted by: kelsy at February 20, 2009 6:24 PM

I think Stand By Me defies the "can't grow up over night" thing. I think that film captured the exact moment that the coming of age was complete, and it was ultimately the only relevant part of it all. Confronting death and valor goes a lot more to the core of a person than most sexual experiences. We know where the boys came from and where they went, and we saw the moment that cemented who they would become. The galvanizing incident.

Someone upthread said The Virgin Suicides, which I love as a film but since they all end up dead and it's told from a horny boy's POV, didn't you defeat your own point there?

I disagree with half the list, and most of it reminds me of how godawful movie trailers can be (except for the ones for Basketball Diaries and The Wackness).

I can think of a lot of good literary examples of coming of age for women, but they never seem to make it to the screen without being wholly bastardized. See: White Oleander.

Posted by: TryScience at February 20, 2009 6:31 PM

I was getting ready to flip out over the fact there was not one female-centered coming-of-age story on this list, but I'm glad to see others took care of it for me. It's a nice reminder that we have a great group of girl-voices on Pajiba.

And Ghost World is easily better than half of the movies on Dustin's list, and is coming-of-agier, and meets the "process over a few months" criteria.

I would also argue for Juno - learning that you need to stop trying to grow up too fast and just enjoy your teenage freedom is one of the most important lessons a teenage girl can learn.

Posted by: lastpolarbear at February 20, 2009 6:43 PM

Girl coming of age stories:

The Wizard of Oz
Spirited Away
Naussica of the Valley of the Wind
My Neighbor Totoro
Heathers
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Juno
City of Lost Children
My Life in Pink (Technically transgirl, but I think it still counts)
Hidden Fortress

Posted by: Inaras at February 20, 2009 7:06 PM

Almost Famous
Dazed and Confused
Stand By Me

and fuck off (I'm a bad beer drinker, so what?)

Posted by: L.O.V.E. at February 20, 2009 7:32 PM

I think Almost Famous is one of the most overrated movies of all time.

There, I said it.

Thank you again Figgy. The only movie I dislike more is that fucking Forrest Gump.

I have to stop being such a wuss.

Posted by: Cindy at February 20, 2009 8:01 PM

I really do miss Stand By Me, on this list - although you do at least acknowledge its worthiness! And I think it could do with a few more girls coming of age. Ghost World? The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie?

Posted by: Caspar at February 20, 2009 8:20 PM

I HATED The Virgin Suicides. Argh. The movie was slightly more likable than the book.

Basketball Diaries makes me cry most of the time. It's been a number of years since I've seen it and the damned thing has stuck with me ever since. Excellent call.

I also adore the hell out of About A Boy. I have seen it far more than reasonable. It never fails to make me smile. Adults can come of age, but it takes a lot more and is far rarer.

Posted by: Melody at February 20, 2009 9:05 PM

I heart Billy Elliot, if only for the soundtrack.

Posted by: mswas at February 20, 2009 9:59 PM

For a girl's coming-of-age film - and a non-white girl, at that - I enter into evidence Persepolis.

Posted by: Ariel at February 20, 2009 10:33 PM

I've got to re-think my position on movies and see some. I did see (and enjoy) BILLY ELLIOT, but I felt strange when I was the only one in the theatre not crying at the end, which is strange, because SWAN LAKE does something quivery to my guts. I don't have the money or time to rent most of this stuff, and not a ton of it is available online (I've tried to see more than a few of these recommendations).

The bildungs/kunsterroman isn't terribly interested in the female journey. I guess you have to go the epistolatory route, though DRACULA still wins over FRANKENSTEIN for me. That said, they couldn't have killed Lucy Westenra quickly enough for me, with all of her hemming and hawing about getting three proposals in one day, and it's so sad. You know why you're an ass-butt, Lucy Westenra? Because you're like one of those size zeroes who complains about not being able to gain weight, and having to give their castoffs to underweight orphans, and it's SO EMBARASSING, (re: I'm being faux-self deprecating, but it's very transparent). So word up Scar-Jo: Next to me you're a training bra: it's not a skill, it's fat deposits. Put on a damn T-shirt.

Okay, as per usual, this one got away from me. I just can't ever get into ALMOST FAMOUS, it's just a little too in love with itself (and boring) for me. Keep this in mind: I spend my life in libraries at pianos so, I'm a self-professed colossal bore. Who wants to talk about the Glorious Revolution? Battle of the Boyne? YES, this is what I'm bringing to the table. And don't get me started on my research...even I don't think it's interesting anymore.

Any Poulenc/Satie/Debussy/Ravel fans: No, not this century. You're far more enlightened than I, friends.

It's 12:02 now, so have a good weekend, everyone!

Posted by: Jo 'Mama' Besser at February 21, 2009 12:02 AM

Oh, and I know you like it, but I'm sorry Dustin, I DESPISE FORREST GUMP. SLAP-SLAP-SLAP! But that's not a popular opinion shared by people who don't have my last name.

Posted by: Jo 'Mama' Besser at February 21, 2009 12:05 AM

Last comment to Rowlesy-Powelsy: Why would you tell us to fuck off about you committing to writing a book? I'm pretty sure your readership would commend the effort and wish you the best. As someone with a similarly 'event-ridden' childhood, I'm glad to see someone come out of it successfully. You can either use your past as a crutch or a catalyst, and obviously you've made the right choice. Even the worst book (I'm not saying that of yours, just hypothetically) takes a Herculean amount of effort-- unless your some Joyce Carol Oates-ian freak invented by God for the sole purpose of making us feel just TERRIBLE about ourselves.

All things considered, there's no need for defense-mechanism hostility when you're trying to accomplish something big--especially from a readership who I'm sure wishes you the greatest success with the endeavour.

Go big or go Detroit, Rowles. But just give'r, and good luck.

Posted by: Jo 'Mama' Besser at February 21, 2009 12:18 AM

Billy Elliot. I love that film!

Spirited Away, Rabbit-Proof Fence and Whale Rider get my votes, though. I sniffle a bit every time I get to the part in WR where she recites the speech for her grandfather.

Not sure if Pan's Labyrinth counts as a coming-of-age film, given that [SPOILER!] she doesn't, but that was also an excellent film about taking on new responsibilities.

Posted by: YeahButNoBut at February 21, 2009 3:31 AM

Which libraries have pianos?

Posted by: Jay at February 21, 2009 6:41 AM

Some moviegoers and hollywood celebs are talking about this under similar topic at ---Richromances.com---, where many wealthy people and celebs are seeking for lo*ve

Posted by: lawr4ebss at February 21, 2009 9:01 AM

Don't forget DAVID COPPERFIELD.

Posted by: Arkansan at February 21, 2009 10:06 AM

Great list!

Top 5 female coming-of-age movies:
1. Man in the Moon (with Reese--good call!!)
2. Beaches (SHUT UP)
3. Heathers
4. My Girl
5. The Professional
(And Waitress would be number 6)

Top 5 male coming-of-age movies:
1. The Goonies
2. What's Eating Gilbert Grape
3. City of God
4. Basketball Diaries
5. Rocket Science

Posted by: lucy at February 21, 2009 11:28 AM

Ah, and for non-white coming-of-age films:

1. The Inkwell (1994)
2. Y Tu Mama Tambien
3. Do the Right Thing
4. Slumdog Millionaire
5. City of God

Posted by: lucy at February 21, 2009 11:33 AM

Top male: running with scissors. Top female: (tie) legend of billie jean/mermaids. Top non-white: alien

Posted by: guiltypartner at February 21, 2009 12:52 PM

Does JFK count?

Oh, you mean that whole social coming-of-age thing, that applies mostly to middle-class kids who can worry about extraneous bullshit?

Posted by: Recondite at February 21, 2009 12:52 PM

Top male: running with scissors. Top female: (tie) legend of billie jean/mermaids. Top non-white: alien

Posted by: guiltypartner at February 21, 2009 12:52 PM


best non white girl coming of age movie:

Maria, Llena de Gracia
o Maria Full of Grace for you non spanish speakers

Persepolis is a close second

Best non human coming of age movie:

The Incredible Journey

Posted by: MissSmilla at February 21, 2009 2:09 PM

"Top non-white: alien"

OK, guiltypartner, I'll bite. Just what about Alien makes it a coming of age movie? Come to think about it, wasn't Ripley white?

What am I missing here?

Since I fall into the "old white man" category, I know I must be missing something, but please explain.

-Ralphie

Posted by: Ralphie at February 21, 2009 3:33 PM

John Hurt can sure tell you who came of age on the Nostromo.

Posted by: Jay at February 21, 2009 3:54 PM

From egg to facehugger, chestburster to adult xenomorph, if that little guy doesnt just tug at your heartstrings...

Posted by: guiltypartner at February 21, 2009 4:12 PM

Wow, kudos for leaving out every single coming of age movie involving a female lead.

What about:
Whale Rider
Reality Bites
Amelie
Bend It Beckam
Juno
Saved
Empire Records
Ghost World
Sixteen Candles

Just to name a few...

Posted by: Katie at February 21, 2009 4:53 PM

Forgive me, but isn't Rabbit Proof Fence a coming of age for non white girls? (For all those who were looking for one)

Posted by: Four Eyes at February 21, 2009 6:21 PM

1. Ghost World
2. Ginger Snaps
3. Kamikazi Girls (Was I the only one?)

Posted by: suicidecircle at February 21, 2009 7:18 PM

Maria Full of Grace damn near killed me.

Posted by: samantha t at February 21, 2009 7:53 PM

technically not a movie i know, but The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾ and all the books that followed, and the cheesy fun BBC TV series, kicked ass.

other favourites would be the Roald Dahl classics Charlie (Willy Wonka) and the Chocolate Factory and Danny, the Champion of the World and I'm really down with all the love for The Outsiders.


oh, and Midnight Cowboy, too.

Posted by: causaubon at February 21, 2009 9:03 PM

ALMOST FAMOUS IS A PIECE OF SHIT

the sandlot is great, harold and maude too.

my bodyguard is on the short list. if you could somehow subtract christopher makepeace, it would be a perfect film

Posted by: LEE at February 21, 2009 9:19 PM

guiltypartner: OK, thanks, I get it now!

And BTW, I just loved The Sandlot!

-Ralphie

Posted by: Ralphie at February 21, 2009 10:33 PM

3. Kamikazi Girls (Was I the only one?)

Hell no you aren't the only one! I love this movie.

Posted by: TryScience at February 22, 2009 12:46 AM

Not sure if Pan's Labyrinth counts as a coming-of-age film, given that [SPOILER!] she doesn't, but that was also an excellent film about taking on new responsibilities.

Snap! I chuckled. If the restrictions on this particular list weren't so strict I would also include it.

How about Empire of the Sun? Pajiba loves Empire of the Sun! C'mon!

Whale Rider needs to be on this list - Pai is such an admirable character, and the film documents not only her coming of age but also the village and, to some extent, her grandfather's. Youth learning from Wisdom who in turn learns something from Youth? Isn't that the touchstone of all of these films?

Posted by: Anna at February 22, 2009 1:17 AM


Oh, also - Looking For Alibrandi is another great female Coming-Of-Age movie. Not sure if it was released in America, but it did moderately well in Australia in the early naughties - based on the fantastic novel of the same name.

Posted by: Anna at February 22, 2009 1:22 AM

my bodyguard is on the short list.

I've sometimes wondered if I'm the only person who saw that movie, even that I possibly only imagined going to the theater (let alone knowing who Chris Makepeace is). Whoda thunk ol' Animal Mother would be the one still around?

However, I do like "Almost Famous" quite a lot.

And I DON'T CARE ABOUT "HAROLD AND MAUDE" EVERYBODY!

Oooh, I'm edgy. Come and get me.

Posted by: Jay at February 22, 2009 9:42 AM

Ooo, Mermaids! Good call, guiltypartner.

And I just need to get this off my chest about Stand By Me: They ruined the perfect movie by having Gordie hold the gun on Ace at the end. If you've read the book, you know what I mean. That whole scene depends on Ace believing that he could be shot . . . and Gordie just can't pull off that Dirty Harry act. Just because it's his story doesn't mean he gets to be the hero.

CHRIS. Of the four of them, only Chris is the one who could stare Ace down. It never fails to piss me off when I watch the movie.

Posted by: Lizzie (greeneyed fem) at February 22, 2009 10:42 AM

"My Bodyguard" - awesome! I went to law school with a stunt double for Chris Makepeace and exactly nobody understood my "Wood-y, the Wabbit, the Winner" jokes.

I'm so old.

Posted by: samantha t at February 22, 2009 2:05 PM

Muriel's Wedding. Excellent female 'coming of age' story. Her mother's death is the saddest thing that has ever been filmed, imo.

Posted by: Songbird at February 22, 2009 2:32 PM

coming of age movie for girls:

Lawndogs

Posted by: john A Thompson at February 22, 2009 4:02 PM

Long time lurker popping up to say that I approached this list fully expecting to see a heteronormative selection featuring white, male characters. I would have liked to be proven wrong in this case.

So, the industry feels as though the standard is white, male, and straight. That their stories are the ones worth telling, and telling well. That their experiences are universal even to those of us whose counterparts in the films are the sidekicks, the invisibles, or the projected-upon love interests? Well, okay. Not exactly news.

But et tu, Dustin?

I await the "separate-but-equal" list in the future to patch up the gaping holes in this one. Don't worry though - we'll still get the gist that, of course, some lists are more equal than others.

Posted by: Megs at February 22, 2009 10:46 PM

I didn't realize that only straight white men come of age! Silly me...

Posted by: Just Me at February 23, 2009 12:12 AM

Quinceanera was a great coming of age movie about a young woman of color, as well as her gay cousin.

But I'm a Cheerleader is a fan-fucking-tastic coming of age and coming out of the closet movie.

Slumdog Millionaire is a brilliant film that proves people outside of the US also experience "coming of age."

Love & Basketball also a terrific coming of age film.

Plus, the many already mentioned by the commentators. I'm really disappointed in this list. It's insulting enough that only straight, white men are represented, but then to neglect Stand by Me, the quintessential coming of age film...

Posted by: Ruthie at February 23, 2009 12:23 AM

Great list!

Top 5 female coming-of-age movies:
1. Man in the Moon (with Reese--good call!!)
2. Beaches (SHUT UP)
3. Heathers
4. My Girl
5. The Professional
(And Waitress would be number 6)
Posted by: lucy at February 21, 2009 11:28 AM

Sorry, lucy, but I would rather spend eternity in hell, being eaten alive by "Twilight" fans than watch "Beaches" again. That movie, along with "Love Story," "Terms of Endearment," whatever the sappy/shitty followup to that was called, and other "chick flicks" of their ilk (we've already had this discussion, I know) make me want to ralph.

I second, third, 45th or whatever, all those who have added "To Kill a Mockingbird."

Posted by: dammitjanet at February 23, 2009 8:28 AM

For non-het stories, I nominate But I'm a Cheerleader, The Incredibly True Story of Two Girls in Love, Beautiful Thing, Get Real (WHY isn't this out on DVD?!). Others that didn't stay with me as long as these, but that are definitely coming-of-age tales are Edge of Seventeen and All Over Me.

I've been meaning to see the French films You'll Get Over It and Come Undone -- they're supposed to be good.

I think Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a kind of coming of age story. And Ma Vie En Rose is one of my favorite films of all time -- although it's more about the people around Ludovic changing than Ludovic moving from childhood to adulthood.

Posted by: Lizzie (greeneyed fem) at February 23, 2009 9:02 AM

Bend It Like Beckham should be up there. I mean, yeah, it sounds tweeny as all get-out, but the truth is rarely are movies made for kids that center so much on family. I loved that film.
And not just because JR-M is the most awkward, horrible-postured hot guy ever.

That said,Almost Famous is one of the greatest movies of all time.

Posted by: Sweetie Dahling at February 23, 2009 1:00 PM

"As far as female coming-of-age movies are concerned, I taught a class that posited that the female coming-of-age is something of a misnomer, that male coming-of-age stories (in both film and literature) show the character's development from boy into "real man" and that - at least in traditional western culture - there's no need for a girl to develop into "woman" since the passing of the girl from father to husband necessitates that she remain, in effect, a child."

What century do you live in, kiddo? We have made some progress in that area.

Posted by: sally2 at March 10, 2009 8:54 PM

Interesting article and fascinating comments. You people seem to have a real community in here. As someone who has a blog which focuses on coming of age movies exclusively I must say that choosing a top 10 is a very harsh task. Some titles that would make in my list are Billy Elliot, Jestem ,En Tu Ausencia ,Secretos del corazón...etc. At the same time I have always noted that most coming of age films are focused on boys and you can check my article titled "Coming of age films - boy`s or girl`s thing " at theskykid.com by visiting the following URL :

http://tr.im/coagenres

Posted by: skykid at March 19, 2009 8:27 AM

no stand by me?!?!
i will always have love in my heart for River Phoenix

Posted by: lizlemon88 at April 4, 2009 12:17 AM

Au Revoir Les Enfants
The Slingshot
Pelle the Conquerer
Lord of the Flies (older version please)
Cement Garden

Posted by: mark at April 5, 2009 9:45 PM