Ten Female Helmed Comedies about the Realities of Growing Up
When you hear the phrase “coming of age” you instinctively think of high school boys trying to get laid. (“Dazed and Confused,” “Superbad,” “Sixteen Candles.” Etc.) Occasionally there are other issues, like your father pressuring you into being someone else (“The Breakfast Club.”) or finding freedom in nature (“The Kings of Summer.”) What’s missing from this sub-genre, are more films geared towards women. Raunchy, subversive, and absurdist are all monikers not often attached to films about girls becoming women. Luckily, I have compiled a list of comedies, about growing up, that aren’t fluffy or lacking depth.
Courtesy of A24, The Exchange, Rooks Nest Entertainment, Sundial Pictures, and Votiv Films
Obvious Child
Probably the most subversive on this list is Gillian Robespierre’s film about a young woman who has to get an abortion after a one night stand. Jenny Slate is the lead, in a performance that just hasn’t been praised enough. The film not only normalizes a controversial and painful procedure, but destigmatizes sex in general, while also providing a great story about coming to terms with being an adult. Every woman should see this film for its content, as well as for the laughs provided by Slate and the rest of the cast.
Courtesy of CBS Films, The Mark Gordon Company, and 3 Arts Entertainment
The To Do List
As I’ve said before, most coming of age films deal in losing one’s virginity. They’re also very raunchy, and this Maggie Carey helmed film is no exception. Aubrey Plaza (in one of her least awkward performances) is a hard working straight-A student who realizes she’s missed out on a pivotal high school experience. While there’s nothing altogether new about the story, it’s really funny, realistic, and a little inspiring, given that it’s a story written, directed, and starring a woman.
Courtesy of Gravitas Ventures and Parkville Pictures
Appropriate Behavior
Owning one’s sexuality is a big part of growing up, especially when you have straight laced parents. Desiree Akhavan writes, directs, and stars in this semi-autobiographical story of owning her bisexuality after a breakup, and coming out to her conservative Persian family. While this isn’t the end all, be all film about bisexuality, it is great to see a depiction of someone with fluid sexuality that isn’t muddled by confusion. Also great is the sardonic, uninhibited lead character, who learns more about being true to herself than becoming someone she’s not.
Courtesy to 20th Century Films, Fox 2000 Pictures, Temple Hill Entertainment, TSG Entertainment
The Fault in Our Stars
This is probably the least funny of the films on this list. Based on the book by John Green, and starring Shailene Woodley in the role of Hazel, “FIOS” is about growing up when you’re not sure you will reach adulthood. Like the book the story is poignant, magical, and hyper-realistic, especially in the scenes dealing with Hazel and Gus’ struggles with cancer. Most of the humor comes from the side character, Isaac, and the banter between the two romantic leads.
We Are Best!
Director Lukas Moodysson is great at capturing the nostalgia of growing up in the seventies and eighties in Sweden. Like his first film “Together,” “We Are Best!” is about the trials of growing up without traditional values, and shows the greatness in being different than everyone else. The film follows three teenage girls who start a punk rock band, fall for boys, find friendship, and revel in their individuality. The songs are fun, the vibe is playful and yet rebellious, and the characters are familiar and yet unique. This is one of the best films of 2014 and showcases a great original story.
Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
Rachel Getting Married
Drug use in film is often equated to being immature in film, because drugs are a tool to escape reality. This is true for Kym (Hathaway) as she is released from rehab for several days to see her sister, Rachel (DeWitt), get married. Struggling with a teenage accident, and trying to do good by her sister, Kym’s sardonic, dry banter clashes with her juvenile spirit. Hathaway gives an impressive performance that keeps you guessing throughout, and often gives the character greater depth and understanding than if it were handled by another actor.
Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures and Lucky Coffee Productions
Happy Christmas
Mumblecore director Joe Swanberg is a minimalist who mostly works off tone and improvised performances from his cast. This film’s theme is acceptance of loved ones, even if they don’t get everything right, as well as accepting yourself, flaws and all. Anna Kendrick is Joe’s sister, a hopelessly unlucky woman who has just broken up with her boyfriend. She and his wife, played by Melanie Lynskey, form a female bond which stresses becoming an adult, finding your passion, and moving forward in your career. While little actually happens, it’s still funny and sweet, and stars too talented women
Courtesy of IFC Films and Tiny Ponies
Tiny Furniture
Lena Dunham’s directorial debut was a sneak peek of what became her HBO show “Girls.” The main character is a twentysomething who doesn’t know what to do after graduating college, and moves back in with her artist mother and disingenuous teen sister. Unsure of her career, love life, and general self, Dunham’s character latches onto men, friends, and alcohol to help her forget her problems. This was a film that not only addressed the issues of millennials in today’s job market, but was a general comedy that showed the hardships of growing up when you’re already an adult.
Courtesy of Strand Releasing and Rommel Films
Wetlands
In true, strange, Germanic film tradition, “Wetlands,” is an odd amalgam of hallucinatory visuals, sexual innuendo, gross out scenes, heartwarming drama, and pure exploitation. Carla Juri plays a fantastical riot gurrl in post-punk Germany, winding through the streets on a skate board and saying highly inappropriate things to us, the audience. If you’re easily grossed out, this is definitely not the film for you. Scenes include: cutting open hemorrhoids, licking of various things, and swapping tampons. If you can get through that, you will get to see a truly unique, albeit strange story of female growth and maturity.
Courtesy of IFC Films, RT Features, Pine District Pictures, and Scott Rudin Productions
Frances Ha
The collaboration between Greta Gerwig and her partner Noah Baumbach has had its best film in “Frances Ha.” Gerwig plays a coquettish modern dancer who has yet to grow up, and realize her past is just that. On the other side of it she is also dealing with a friend who equates maturity to pretending everything is fine, when it’s not. Frances is a funny, awkward, disjointed character, whose unique perspective on life lends to a great film. Besides the story being great, the cinematography will take your breath away, and the soundtrack will engage you as much as the characters.
