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Themes in Young Adult Films

Themes in Young Adult Films. Belonging. Questions Teens Ask Themselves. Am I normal? Am I good enough? Am I smart enough? Am I pretty enough? Do I fit in? . Three Essential Attributes. Tension exists between an individual and a group.

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Themes in Young Adult Films

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  1. Themes in Young Adult Films Belonging

  2. Questions Teens Ask Themselves • Am I normal? • Am I good enough? • Am I smart enough? • Am I pretty enough? • Do I fit in? 

  3. Three Essential Attributes • Tension exists between an individual and a group. • The plot is often driven by what the individual does to be accepted by the group or by the protagonist’s active attempts to remain separate. • In order to resolve the conflict, someone—either the individual or the group—must change or make accommodations.

  4. Addams Family Values (1993) PG-13 Angus (1995) PG-13 Benny & Joon (1993) PG Breaking Away (1979) PG Clueless (1995) PG-13 Dark Horse (1992) PG Housekeeping (1988) PG The Inkwell (1994) R Lantern Hill (1989) NR Lucas (1986) PG-13 Mask (1985) PG-13 My Bodyguard (1980) PG Powder (1995) PG-13 Rebel Without a Cause (1955) NR School Ties (1992) PG-13 Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael (1990) PG-13 Some YA Films about Belonging

  5. Individuals in Conflict with Groups • Adolescent typically tries to join a group but ends up being rejected by the group. • The reason for the rejection: the individual is different from the group in some way. • New kid in town (My Bodyguard) • Different physically (Powder) • Mental retardation (Benny & Joon)

  6. Individuals in Conflict with Groups • Group typically rejects an individual because something about the individual offends the values of the group. • Group may value beauty or popularity—in short, people like themselves. • School Ties • Breaking Away • Lucas

  7. Individuals in Conflict with Groups • Sometimes protagonists have secrets that keep them out of the group or make them different in some way • Europa, Europa • Au Revoir les Enfants

  8. Seeking Acceptance • Plot is often driven by the attempts of the individual to gain the acceptance of the group • Rebel Without a Cause • My Bodyguard • Sometimes the individual does not try to be accepted by the group  • Powder • Breaking Away

  9. Making Accommodations • Groups don’t tolerate anyone who is different • To be accepted, either the individual or the group has made accommodations • Belonging is so important that they will try to change themselves drastically to belong.

  10. Making Accommodations • Sometimes members of the group reach out to the outsiders to draw them into the group • Clueless • Rebel Without a Cause • Sometimes the group recognizes special qualities in the outsider and comes to accept that individual • Mask

  11. Lucas • Directed by David Seltzer • First released on March 28, 1986 • Tragicomedy geared toward a teen audience • Ranked number 16 on Entertainment Weekly's list of the 50 Best High School Movies

  12. Actors in the Movie • Corey Haim • Winona Ryder—her first feature film role • Charlie Sheen • Jeremy Piven

  13. Reception • Roger Ebert gave the film 4 out of 4 stars • Ebert later included the film in his top 10 films of 1986. • Not considered a box office success • Gained a cult audience on home video and cable • Both Corey Haim and Kerri Green were nominated for a Young Artist Award in 1987

  14. Themes • From two different worlds • Coming of age • High School Relationships • Fitting In

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