Harold & Maude (Hal Ashby, 1971)
Click here for the basics
Rating: Q=8, P=8 / Obsession
Scale 1=4, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=4
Comedy, Coming of Age, Romance, Complex Relationship, Cult Classic
Why is it a Favorite?
When I first saw this film I was 17 years old and in my first head-over-heels teenage love experience. It was a complicated, tumultuous, and difficult time for me. How do you deal with another person's emotions? How do you make sense of your own? How do you maintain balance in your life? How do you handle judgment and reputation? Does it matter?
Harold & Maude wrestles with all of these questions. Yes, it is a story about an odd-couple romance between a young boy and an elderly woman, but it is ultimately a story about what love really means. It's also about being true to yourself and not compromising that. I think every teenager should see this film--it was life-changing for me.
Slumdog Millionaire (Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan, 2008)
Click here for the basics
Rating: Q=7, P=8 / Obsession
Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=4
India, Coming of Age, Gangster, Realism, Gritty, Trafficking, Romance
Why is it a Favorite?
This film is brilliant. The artistry, the story, the themes and symbols, the young actors, the music--everything. I fell in love with this one, though, because of the social realism and the message of hope. Slumdog Millionaire is about boys growing up on the streets, it is a film about poverty and human trafficking, it is about income inequality. It is about the triumph of determination and love over choosing the easy way.
As a graduate student I wrote about one particular scene from this film: a brutal blinding of a young boy. It is a stirring, gruesome scene that turned my stomach every time I watched. But Danny Boyle shows us the strength of the love, loyalty, and will of the boys after witnessing this cruelty--it is magnificent. The power of the human spirit is awesome.
Stand By Me (Rob Reiner, 1986)
Coming of Age, Boys, Adventure, Complex Relationships, Cult Classic
Why is it a Favorite?
This film is brilliant. The artistry, the story, the themes and symbols, the young actors, the music--everything. I fell in love with this one, though, because of the social realism and the message of hope. Slumdog Millionaire is about boys growing up on the streets, it is a film about poverty and human trafficking, it is about income inequality. It is about the triumph of determination and love over choosing the easy way.
As a graduate student I wrote about one particular scene from this film: a brutal blinding of a young boy. It is a stirring, gruesome scene that turned my stomach every time I watched. But Danny Boyle shows us the strength of the love, loyalty, and will of the boys after witnessing this cruelty--it is magnificent. The power of the human spirit is awesome.
Stand By Me (Rob Reiner, 1986)
Click here for the basics
Rating: Q=7, P=8 / Obsession
Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=4
Coming of Age, Boys, Adventure, Complex Relationships, Cult Classic
Why is it a Favorite?
Is there any better Coming of Age film, really? This one is just so perfect. Four friends, an adventure, emotions, great songs, nostalgia...
Stand By Me is a classic because of the writing and the chemistry between the young actors. We believe that these four boys are best friends. Truly. And we believe that their friendship is strong enough that they aren't afraid to share their fears and struggles with each other. River Phoenix's confession scene is quite possibly the most emotional moment in any film I've seen. And even though the story centers around an adventure to see a dead body, it's not about that at all. It's about the little things--the conversations, the wandering around, the teasing and testing and supporting of each other. The essence of friendship.
Is there any better Coming of Age film, really? This one is just so perfect. Four friends, an adventure, emotions, great songs, nostalgia...
Stand By Me is a classic because of the writing and the chemistry between the young actors. We believe that these four boys are best friends. Truly. And we believe that their friendship is strong enough that they aren't afraid to share their fears and struggles with each other. River Phoenix's confession scene is quite possibly the most emotional moment in any film I've seen. And even though the story centers around an adventure to see a dead body, it's not about that at all. It's about the little things--the conversations, the wandering around, the teasing and testing and supporting of each other. The essence of friendship.
--Don't understand the ratings? Click here
