Tag Archives: Coming-of-age drama

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

“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

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

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

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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Love According to Dalva (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): The observation of a troubled young girl

“Love According to Dalva” closely observes the emotional turmoil of a troubled young girl who feels quite hurt and confused for understandable reasons. While it is sometime difficult to watch during a number of emotionally intense scenes, the movie depicts … Continue reading

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On the Come Up (2022) ☆☆(2/4): A conventional and messy mix of rap and coming-of-age drama

I saw through nearly everything in “One the Come Up”, a rather conventional mix of rap and coming-of-age drama. This is so predictable and contrived in terms of story and characters that I could easily guess each plot turn it … Continue reading

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Frybread Face and Me (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): That summer in the reservation

“Frybread Face and Me”, which was released on Netflix in US around the end of last year, is a little but likable coming-of-age drama about one summer of a little Native American boy who becomes more aware of himself and … Continue reading

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Shooting Stars (2023) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): The Best Years of Their Lives

“Shooting Stars”, which is currently available on Netflix in South Korea, is a standard biographical sports drama film which plays and then delivers as much as expected. While any good sports drama film needs to do more than that in … Continue reading

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FAQ (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): The girl who listens to a bottle of rice wine (no kidding)

Dear my little niece who will be one year old in this November I recently watched South Korean independent film “FAQ”, which was released at local movie theaters in last week. To be frank with you, I could not help … Continue reading

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Amiko (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): Here is Amiko

Japanese film “Amiko” is a dry but painful coming-of-age tale about one odd and socially awkward young girl who often clashes with the increasingly gloomy reality surrounding her. While it is quite uncomfortable to observe how frequently she struggles to … Continue reading

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