Top 5 Coming Of Age Movies

Top 5 Coming Of Age Movies 

For most of us, there's not really much involved in "coming of age," really: an involuntary rush of hormones, some hair that wasn't there before, maybe a few wide eyed wonders picking up a copy of 'Fifty Shades.'

In the movies, however, straight-up puberty won't do. That's for real life, which we all know is boring in comparison. It takes adventure, intrigue, a few gross-out gags -- and if at all possible, monsters and/or pirates -- to fully usher oneself into young adulthood. Movie kids tend to come of age under more highly charged circumstances than your average game of spin the bottle. Here are just five examples you may want to watch if you're flying the coup off to University and feel yourself "coming of age".

Juno 

Director: Jason Reitman
Cast: Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jason Bateman, Jennifer Garner
Date: 2007

When a young teenager, Juno, finds herself pregnant following a one night stand with her best friend, she enlists the aid of her family and friends in order to find a suitable home for the child. She soon finds that life isn't perfect, and how you deal with the bumps (tehe) along the way makes you who you are.

Featuring a protagonist almost as relatable as the person you see in the mirror everyday, Juno is one of the most heartwarming and enjoyable teen comedy/dramas of our time. Ellen Page excels in the role, effortlessly delivering brilliantly witty dialogue, finding the right balance between comic timing and tragic realisation that life isn't always fair. Michael Cera, Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner also provide solid support as the baby's well-meaning but socially disastrous father and the potential adoptive couple respectively.

American Pie Series

Director: Paul and Chris Weitz
Cast: Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, Tara Reid, Sean William Scott
Date: 1999 - 2012

I really shouldn't have to explain this one, but just incase you are uninitiated (I learned that word from Batman!), American Pie follows the story of four high school graduates with a plan: to lose their virginity before (or on) their prom night. Hilarity ensues, involving an accidentally broadcast webcam strip, an unfortunately brief sexual encounter and a book with thousands of tips on how to please a woman.

It's rude, it's crude but damn it all it if isn't one of the most loved teen comedies of the past 50 years. Featuring a soundtrack that will instantly remind you of being a '90's kid', as well as a young cast at the top of their game - The Stiffmeister! - American Pie is one of the tastiest coming of age movies ever (see what I did?). The future installments (except the dreaded straight-to-DVD titles) are also fantastic, particularly this year's American Reunion.

Orange County

Director: Jake Kasdan
Cast: Jack Black, Colin Hanks, John Lithgow
Date: 2002

Shaun Brumder is a teenager from affluent Orange County, California. Although bright and intelligent, he has very little interest in education or studying, instead trying to lead a carefree lifestyle of surfing, drinking and partying. A turning point comes when Shaun's best friend is killed in a surfing accident causing Shaun to rethink his own life. One day, he finds a novel on the beach by the author Marcus Skinner, which quickly inspires him to become a writer. Upon learning that Skinner is an English professor at Stanford University, Shaun makes it his goal to attend Stanford and study under him, seeing it as an opportunity to escape from his superficial life in Orange County.

One of Jack Black's good films. Enough said. The end may also bring a tear to your eye.

Adventureland

Director: Greg Mottola 
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds, Bill Hader
Date: 2009

In the summer of 1987, a college grad takes a 'dead end' job at his local amusement park, only to find it's the perfect course to get him prepared for the real world. As he becomes more and more intrigued with Emily, a fellow park worker, James realises that sometimes it's better to enjoy the adventure you're having now than to keep looking forward to the ones in the future.

If you can ignore Kristen Stewart's 'acting' face throughout the film, Adventureland is a sweet, amusing movie for anyone who's been in love, had a crummy job or just experienced plain misdirection and confusion in their life. James himself is perfectly acceptable - the teenager who wants a better existance but finds obstacle after obstacle blocking his way, be it a lack of funds for his career path or his feelings for a confused girl with no idea what she wants.

Toy Story 3

Director: Lee Unkrich
Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Michael Keaton, Joan Cusack
Date: 2010

Andy, now nearly 18 years old, is leaving for college, but the big question is - what to do with his beloved toys that have been left in the dark for nearly ten years? As Woody, Buzz and the gang find themselves accidentally donated to Sunnyside Daycare, they struggle to escape the confines of the building which is guarded by the evil Lotso and his group of law enforcing toys. Desperate to make it home in time before Andy leaves for college, the toys attempt a daring evasion of the daycare centre, determined to say goodbye to the owner who once loved them.

If you're ready to say goodbye to your childhood, this is the cinematic way to do it. Toy Story 3 rounds off the trilogy with fantastic style, integrating plenty of laughs amongst the constant sense that this is the end. A fitting send off for Woody and the gang - and that moment where Andy finally says goodbye to his beloved toys is executed with a gentle sadness, elevated with the fact that both he and his tiny friends are going on to a new life.

So if you find yourself a little lonely in your new halls of residence, or perhaps just want to experience what it feels like to 'grow up' once again, there are 5 movies you can sink your nostalgic teeth into.

Still to come on Movies Under The Microscope this week: Reviews of both Lawless and Dredd, as well as Sunday's Newsarama.