Coming-of-Age Film Opening Analyzation.

 My final choice for genre is coming of age and I'll be analyzing how this genre's film openings effectively introduce the characters, setting, and plot of the film. The openings of many coming‑of‑age films work hard to introduce the main character’s struggles right away. In The Perks of Being a Wallflower, the movie begins with Charlie writing a letter about starting high school. His quiet voice and nervous tone show that he feels lonely and unsure of himself. This opening sets up the idea that the story will follow his emotional growth as he tries to find friends and confidence.

French, P. (2012, October 4). The Perks of Being a Wallflower – review. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/oct/04/perks-of-being-wallflower-review

Another strong example is the opening of Lady Bird. The film starts with Lady Bird and her mom finishing a long road trip, and they quickly go from peaceful to arguing. Lady Bird’s dramatic jump out of the moving car shows how badly she wants independence, even if she doesn’t always make the best choices. This opening highlights a major coming‑of‑age theme, the tension between wanting freedom and still needing guidance.

Bradshaw, P. (2018, February 15). Lady Bird review – Greta Gerwig’s solo directorial debut is a delight. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/feb/15/lady-bird-review-greta-gerwig-saoirse-ronan-laurie-metcalf

A third example is the beginning of Mid90s. The movie opens with Stevie watching his older brother, trying to understand what it means to be “cool.” The camera focuses on Stevie’s face, showing his curiosity and desire to fit in. This moment sets up his journey toward finding a group where he belongs. Together, these three openings show how coming‑of‑age films introduce characters who are searching for identity, connection, and a place in the world.

Louison, C. (2018, October 19). Jonah Hill faithfully re‑creates the raw, fleeting years of skate culture in “Mid90s”. The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/jonah-hill-faithfully-re-creates-the-raw-fleeting-years-of-skate-culture-in-mid90s