Everyone has that one movie that they can re-watch over and over again without getting tired of it. Movies hold special memories and feelings, which may have manifested because of who we watched them with, what they taught us that changed our perspective on life or even how we viewed ourselves.
From “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” the quote “We accept the love we think we deserve” hit me hard and really made me think about love and relationships in my life. Coming-of-age movies have had the most impact on me, and I find myself regularly clicking rewatch on my favorites. I have compiled a list of three of these movies that everyone should watch, especially if they are in a pivotal moment in their lives.
- “My Old Ass”
“My Old Ass,” starring Maisy Stella, follows Elliot through the summer before her first year of college. In Elliot’s search to figure out what her life after high school will entail, as well as figuring out her sexuality, her future self appears (played by Aubrey Plaza) during a mushroom trip. Elliot struggles between listening to what her future self tells her to do to avoid pain later in life and doing what she feels is right. “My Old Ass” discusses the difficulty of either listening to your heart and disregarding possible negative effects or not acting on your feelings at all. The scene where Elliot begs her future self to tell her why she cannot have a relationship with Chad, a boy she meets, is moving yet devastating. Because she wanted to know so badly what the future held, her heart was broken. Many young individuals, especially current college students, can relate to Elliot’s story.Â
- “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is an adaptation of the novel by the same name, written by Stephen Chbosky. The movie, starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller, displays the effects of negative mental health, especially in regard to school, relationships and past traumas. Although some scenes may trigger negative emotions among sensitive groups, the movie’s overall storyline and message are relatable. “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” makes me feel less alone in the world. Charlie, the main character, has intense feelings of anxiety and characterizes himself as a “wallflower,” which is not uncommon for young people trying to find out who they are. If you are feeling alone, this is the movie to watch.
- “Booksmart”
My final and favorite coming-of-age and comedy movie is “Booksmart.” Two academic achievers, Molly and Amy, played by Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Denver, are about to graduate when they realize what they have missed out on throughout their high school years because of their focus on getting into a competitive college. Before they move away from their hometown, they aim to make the most of the time they have left by going to a party. “Booksmart” effectively tells the story of how worrying about and putting too much energy into one aspect of your life can negatively affect another. Figuring out where your priorities lie, especially in young adulthood, is difficult and sometimes scary. Because we cannot know what our future will look like, it can be hard to know what areas to put more effort into. Remember to take risks, and do something out of your comfort zone, you will not regret it.
I highly recommend watching all, or at least one, of these movies, especially if you are in a crucial or coming-of-age era of your life. There is a lot of wisdom to be learned from films on the big screen, even after multiple re-watches.