Cinema Lounge Reviews

Today we have a very special article written by our good friends over at The Random Compass. I’m more than confident that you’ll find their article below about some of their favourite coming of age films a fascinating read and enjoy it just as much as we did. The Random Compass also post a variety of exciting articles based on everything you would possibly want to know within the entertainment industry whether it’s about films, books, TV, music or gaming they will most likely have it. In addition to that, they also have a selection of quizzes you can try out which provide hours of fun. Be sure to check out what else they have to offer if you as well. In addition to that, we also wrote an article for them to go on their site which you can find here titled ‘UK CINEMA CHAINS – RANKED!‘.

These are some of my favourite coming-of-age films that are underrated classics in my opinion. They don’t really come up in conversations about teenage films, which is surprising to me as they are some of the most memorable to me! I hope you give them a watch, and you might be surprised by the familiar faces you’ll see…

The Outsiders, 1983, Francis Ford Coppola

This may be a classic in America, with the novel being taught as standard in many schools, but in the UK at least, I have found very few people have heard of it! I would recommend reading the book first by S.E. Hinton, but if you prefer to watch it first, the film is very loyal to its inspiration. The main cast is packed full of star actors – Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, and Ralph Macchio to name a few…

The film beautifully shows the importance of friendship and loyalty for young people, and tells a great story about being true to yourself, and making your own decisions as you mature into a young adult – becoming who you want to be.

Running on Empty, 1988, Sidney Lumet

This is a captivating film that shows the problems of running from your past, only to drag it into the present. River Phoenix plays the main character, Danny Pope, whose parents have been on the run for years from the authorities for protesting bombing a napalm laboratory. Danny wants to live his own life and is torn between family and his future. Running on Empty is a poignant film which shows the struggles and beauty of family, and will move you in the saddest but most hopeful way.

Mystic Pizza, 1988, Donald Petrie

Mystic Pizza shows three best friends, Kat, Daisy, and Jojo, and their lives in the small fishing town Mystic. The film’s core is the relationship these girls share, and what is created as a result is a cosy, funny, and very real look at the coming-of-age journey of these teenagers. Julia Roberts stars as the wild and independent Daisy, who butts heads with her sensible sister Kat – the dynamics of sisterhood are natural and honest, which offers an element of relatability to the film. It is the definition of a feel-good film.

Bend it like Beckham, 2002, Gurinder Chadha

This film is so 2000s. Jess, played by Parminder Nagra, is a young girl who only wants one thing – to play football professionally. Her traditional parents, however, have other plans… This is an insanely funny depiction of dreams vs culture and captures the time of its creation perfectly. It is realistic, inspiring, and will make you laugh till your stomach hurts!

The Kings of Summer, 2013, Jordan Vogt-Roberts

Last but not least, The Kings of Summer ends the list. This film is the embodiment of any kid’s dream – to live in a treehouse in the forest, no rules, no adults, nothing. Paradise at the beginning, the best friend duo soon realise that this childhood dream of escapism is not all it is cracked up to be, as their friendship is worn down to the bone and the realization hits them. That sounds more dark than intended – this film definitely has its chuckle moments, and the end message is sweet in its realism of how friendships as a young teenager works.