The eighties were known for many things, not the least of which were the classic “coming of age” movies about teenage angst and love. The geek gets the girl movies were all over the place, as well as the classic teen clique movies, and they still hold up today. Though the visuals have changed over the years, the messages and comedy are as fresh as they were back in the eighties. Here are five coming of age movies that will leave you entertained in that eighties type of way:
Can’t Buy Me Love - This movie is famous for much more than McDreamy actually playing a geek. The movie is a wonderful ode to the classic geek gets the girl genre. Patrick Dempsey plays a geek that actually gets the chance to be famous for a time…even though it is because he pays for it. He finds that it costs him much more than just money as he turns on his geek friends once he becomes popular, and learns an important lesson. The movie is an absolute gem and is classically funny and heartwarming.
Say Anything - This movie is a perfect example of the ultimate coming of age eighties flick. It has John Cusack for one thing. Cusack plays the oddball guy that is not quite good enough for the father of the smart girl he is chasing. Turns out, Cusack is better than the father himself. A gritty, funny, tear jerker of a movie that will keep you watching it again and again.
The Breakfast Club - Aside from having an all-star brat pack of the eighties cast, this movie stands on the storyline alone. The entire movie revolves around one day of detention and the mismatched students that are stuck there. The differences between the students and their cliques make the film take on a very powerful message. This is widely considered the best film of the eighties.
Fast Times At Ridgemont High - Of all the eighties movies on this list, this one takes a more drastic look at the problems of kids in the eighties. Alternately serious and funny, Fast Times was among the more noted films of the decade. It also was famous for Phoebe Cates, who many consider the hottest female of the eighties teen movies.
Stand By Me -This great movie is a perfect example of childhood and the friendships that come with it. Every single viewer will see a bit of themselves and others as they watch these four friends go on the adventure of their lives. The four friends go looking for a dead body that is thought to be in the woods, and they get a bit more than they bargained for from each other and the situation. Rob Reiner was brilliant in the filming of this movie which is an adaptation of a Stephen King book.
i love these types of movies. I did not know this rage started in the 80s.
Comment by Miranda Wells — April 27, 2009 @ 3:04 am