More Coming of Age Sleepers: Girls against Boys

I have to leave out some of my favorite movies in the "Coming of Age" category -- Stand by Me, Dazed and Confused and, yes, Fast Times at Ridgemont High --because they just can't justifiably be called a 'sleeper.' But herewith are some more excellent films that are less likely to be grabbed from the shelves.

This list was partially inspired by the recent release of the excellent Ghost World, a very on-target take on teenage girls made, surprisingly, by boys (er, men). In this corner... we have some knowing looks at the difficulty of being a teenage girl... And in the other corner, the pain and suffering of being an adolescent boy. Besides their overriding excellence and truthfulness, what do all these films have in common? Being a teen ain't easy.

But we love to watch movies about it. Before you send your kids off for another school year, watch these films and then give them an understanding pat on the back.

Girls

Desert Bloom
Well-acted and written, Eugene Corr's authentically portrayed movie makes the 50's seem not all that rosy after all. 13-year-old Rose (Annabeth Gish) struggles through a volatile family life in Nevada, with the backdrop of nuclear testing adding to the tension. Gish's character grows gradually, like real people do, eventually becoming an equal to her elders. Might have been too nuanced for theatrical audiences the first time around, but quietly explosive and worth a look.

Girls Town
High school senior year for four New Jersey girls. None of them are going to the prom - they're too busy dealing with real life. Not much on plot but Jim McKay's film is very smart , keenly observed and acted. It's refreshing to see a film about multicultural friends that doesn't make such a big deal out of it. The cast is led by the always good Lili Taylor - whose filmography could be a "sleeper videos" column all by itself.

Note: Keep your eye out for Our Song, McKay's new film about teenage girls, which is actually superior to Girls Town and worth scouting for.

Girlfight
Michelle Rodriguez floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee in her convincing debut as a tough urban teen with a penchant for fighting who discovers boxing as a way to channel her aggression. Karyn Kusama was an assistant to director John Sayles (who has a cameo here as a science teacher) before staking out on her own, and it's a nifty debut for her, too. Oh sure, there are some contrivances and predictable moments, but it never ceases being real and fresh - and Rodriguez's intensity will carry you through the whole thing.

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