Tag Archives: Coming-of-age drama

White Bird (2023) ☆☆(2/4): A Holocaust tale to reform him

Posted on March 16, 2025 by kaist455

Marc Forster’s new film “White Bird” presents its well-intentioned tale in a way so rote and manipulative that I felt like shaking my head more than once during my viewing. As another typical Holocaust drama flick, it does not bring … Continue reading →

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Good One (2024) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Camping with her dad and his friend

Posted on December 5, 2024 by kaist455

“Good One” is one of those subtle character drama films where you need to focus more on mood and nuance with some patience. On the surface, nothing particularly dramatic happens among its three main characters, but the movie slowly and … Continue reading →

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How to Have Sex (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): A female coming-of-age tale about sex

Posted on December 4, 2024 by kaist455

British film “How to Have Sex” will strike you hard at first while its adolescent heroine and her two female friends go wild for some fun and excitement. As clearly reflected by the very title of the film, they are … Continue reading →

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Look Back (2024) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Two young collaborators

Posted on November 16, 2024 by kaist455

Japanese animation film “Look Back”, which has been enjoying a considerable success in South Korean theaters since it was released two months ago, is a small but poignant coming-of-age drama about the friendship between two young and talented collaborators. Although … Continue reading →

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Single8 (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): One little summer filmmaking

Posted on October 13, 2024 by kaist455

Japanese film “Single8” will bring a smile to anyone who has ever been fascinated with filmmaking. Like many similar films such as other recent Japanese film “It’s a Summer Film” (2020), the movie is brimming with the joy and excitement … Continue reading →

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Didi (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): His suburban summer in 2008

Posted on September 12, 2024 by kaist455

“Didi” is a coming-of-age tale which feels both specific and universal. While its adolescent hero and his family background are quite specific, but his emotional struggles with not only his family but also himself are universal to say the least, … Continue reading →

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We Grown Now (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): Their childhood in Cabrini-Green, 1992

Posted on September 12, 2024 by kaist455

“We Grown Now” is a little but intimate coming-of-age drama about growing up in the Cabrini-Green neighborhood of Chicago in 1992. Mostly sticking to the viewpoint of two young African American boys living there during that time, the movie often … Continue reading →

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My First Film (2024) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Memories of her abandoned first film

Posted on September 11, 2024 by kaist455

As watching Zia Anger’s fascinating feature film “My First Film”, I frequently wondered how much it actually reflects Anger’s life and career in real life. Yes, she did make her little first feature film “Always All Way, Anne Marie” between … Continue reading →

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Eileen (2023) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): That unnerving attraction between them

Posted on September 8, 2024 by kaist455

William Oldroyd’s second feature film “Eileen” is a rather uneven mix of noir thriller and coming-of-age drama. The movie is fairly compelling during its first two acts thanks to its good mood and storytelling as well as the two talented … Continue reading →

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Divertimento (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): To become a conductor

Posted on September 2, 2024 by kaist455

French film “Divertimento” is a competent feel-good drama film inspired by one remarkable real-life story. While there are some expected conventional moments, the movie casually flows along with its ambitious young heroine as she struggles to find her own personality … Continue reading →

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