Films To Note

I'm finally getting back on track with my regular features after my break. For this fortnights 'Films to Note' I was struggling to pick a theme until I realised what most of my favourite films, and books for the matter, are about. Coming of Age. Growing up and realising who you are. Finding your niche. Those films that show us the delicate part of life when someone is really discovering themselves. I'm a sucker for those films so here are five of my favourite coming of age films.

1. Whip It! (2009)

A Drew Barrymore Film

This film is such a winner for me. It has two of my girl crushes, Ellen Page and Drew Barrymore (who also directed), a great soundtrack and it's set in Austin, TX. It follows Bliss who is stuck in a dead end town with only her friends to keep her sane in the world of pageants, waitressing jobs and bullies. Until she discovers Roller Derby. A rough and tumble sport filled with alternative girls who aren't afraid to be themselves. Bliss soon becomes the team's star, Babe Ruthless, but it's not all plain sailing with obstacles of first love, lying to her parents and the small fact she's not actually old enough to be competing.

One for the times when you need a top up in your 'you can do anything you put your mind to' belief.

2. Nothing is Private/Towelhead (2007)

An Alan Ball Film
I've spoken about my love for Alan Ball before on this blog and in Nothing is Private he really lets his dark humour shine. Jasira is a young girl discovering herself and her sexuality which results in her being shipped off to live with her controlling Lesbanese father is the suburbs. The pair have a rocky relationship to say the least with his twisted views of womanhood clashing with her curious attitude towards sex. It's quite an open film that explores issues of religion, racism and sexuality that really pulls you in to the characters lives as Jasira finds herself floundering in the rules and standards set by those around her.

3. Submarine (2010)

A Richard Ayoade Film
Submarine is a true British gem. It follows 15 year old Oliver Tate as he faces the challenges of first love, first kiss and first realisation that his parents are unhappy. Hilarious, heart warming and wonderfully shot, Submarine explores the excitement and mystery of his relationship with Jordana while struggling to keep his parent's marriage from falling apart of the hands of their neighbour. It's a great coming of age story for everyone who's ever known young love or felt like their life was spinning out of their control.

4. Zombie Girl (2009)

A Justin Johnson and Aaron Marshall Film

This documentary follows the production of a small indie zombie movie being made in Austin where the filmmaker just happens to be 12. Emily wrote, directed and edited Pathogen all with the help of her mum at the young age of 12. She calls in all sorts of favours around town, turns a mass of extras into zombies in a local supermarket and sticks firmly by the rule that zombies don't run. I really identified with Emily as such a driven filmmaker and luckily, at no point does she cross over into arrogance for someone talented so young. Not a conventional coming of age story but one I'd definitely recommend. 

5. Garden State (2004)

A Zach Braff Film

I'm sure you're thinking I'm such a film student right now but I can't help but adore this film. When Andrew's mother dies, he returns home for the first time since his adolescence. Instead of more misery, Andrew finds love in the form of Sam, true friendship in his boyhood friends and freedom in his decision to stop taking his anti-depressants. His rocky relationship with his parents has haunted him but he decides to draw a line through the past and start living his life for himself. A romantic, touching and devastating film at each turn, Garden State is about truly accepting who we are and to start living for every moment.