I'd be curious to know which film you watched, and whether it was an inspired pause or a disapproving pause. I've always felt drawn to Coming of Age films, or at least to their central idea. For a while I was worried about what this meant. Aren't they supposed to be about teenagers?
But in a society of elongated youth, with weaker rites of passage and a more gradual shift into adulthood ('adulting', in the modern parlance), it feels quite outdated that so-called Coming of Age films tend to focus on (pre) teens. As you capture, life is so much more gradual and episodic.
At 33 I still find it much easier to focus on ways I'm yet to mature than ways I already have. You always want want you don't have etc. Every couple of years or so I seem to realise by surprise – often in the middle of a conversation with a friend, or recalling some past 'fixed' version of myself – that I've become a new age.
Writing this reminded me why I love Richard Linklater's films so much, including Coming of Age classics like Dazed and Confused and Boyhood. They're plotless – all character, dialogue, and setting – leaving everything so open and ... well, dazed and confused. No tidy trajectory; just a long, mysterious road. Far more exciting.
Sam! This is all fascinating and resonant. I just turned 34, so I imagine similar messaging, storytelling and imagery have followed us both.
I watched ‘The Last Song’ and ‘The Half of It’ - Both top results when you type ‘coming of age’ into the streaming platforms! I had a moment of real curiosity about Miley Cyrus’ tip into acting, but that was the film I paused to write this. Ive also seen the classics you note, and others you haven’t. I think I’m drawn to them for similar reasons.
I always find more hope and connection in the meandering storylines than the neat and complete ones. That idea feels akin to the way Char Heather (@theremotebody) talks about fragmented, queered and crip narratives. They’re just more reflective of real bodies, and lives, right?
Finally, I took the time my brain needed to truly read this piece. Happy Birthday Lydia! 💖 Many Blessings ✨
“May you travel in an awakened way,
Gathered wisely into your inner ground. . . “
Somehow, I know you will.
My youngest kid is also an Aquarian--turned 30 yesterday. (My willow weaving friend, Diane, said: (Feckin’ Hell!) But my Ruthie is also an artist who is heart forward and “wisely gathered”, and pays close attention.
This resonated, Lydia. "Always becoming an age."
I'd be curious to know which film you watched, and whether it was an inspired pause or a disapproving pause. I've always felt drawn to Coming of Age films, or at least to their central idea. For a while I was worried about what this meant. Aren't they supposed to be about teenagers?
But in a society of elongated youth, with weaker rites of passage and a more gradual shift into adulthood ('adulting', in the modern parlance), it feels quite outdated that so-called Coming of Age films tend to focus on (pre) teens. As you capture, life is so much more gradual and episodic.
At 33 I still find it much easier to focus on ways I'm yet to mature than ways I already have. You always want want you don't have etc. Every couple of years or so I seem to realise by surprise – often in the middle of a conversation with a friend, or recalling some past 'fixed' version of myself – that I've become a new age.
Writing this reminded me why I love Richard Linklater's films so much, including Coming of Age classics like Dazed and Confused and Boyhood. They're plotless – all character, dialogue, and setting – leaving everything so open and ... well, dazed and confused. No tidy trajectory; just a long, mysterious road. Far more exciting.
Thanks for encouraging such reflections!
Sam! This is all fascinating and resonant. I just turned 34, so I imagine similar messaging, storytelling and imagery have followed us both.
I watched ‘The Last Song’ and ‘The Half of It’ - Both top results when you type ‘coming of age’ into the streaming platforms! I had a moment of real curiosity about Miley Cyrus’ tip into acting, but that was the film I paused to write this. Ive also seen the classics you note, and others you haven’t. I think I’m drawn to them for similar reasons.
I always find more hope and connection in the meandering storylines than the neat and complete ones. That idea feels akin to the way Char Heather (@theremotebody) talks about fragmented, queered and crip narratives. They’re just more reflective of real bodies, and lives, right?
I'll have to check Char out! But yes, I wholeheartedly agree – even when I'm wholebrainedly craving a nice neat bow and ribbon payback kind of ending.
Finally, I took the time my brain needed to truly read this piece. Happy Birthday Lydia! 💖 Many Blessings ✨
“May you travel in an awakened way,
Gathered wisely into your inner ground. . . “
Somehow, I know you will.
My youngest kid is also an Aquarian--turned 30 yesterday. (My willow weaving friend, Diane, said: (Feckin’ Hell!) But my Ruthie is also an artist who is heart forward and “wisely gathered”, and pays close attention.
Then I’m in very good company :) Thank you, thank you, Michelle 🙏 Can we drink tea and talk about trees sometime soon?x
Yes yes! Let’s do it! Time is a thing 🧐, but shouldn’t stop us.
Oh lydia... wonderful! I have so much going on in my head after reading that... I might have to come back later and write something else! Thank you!
Oh, Rob! Tell me things!
Beautiful stuff! This weekend, hair chat has lightened my very heaviest conversations- what an all encompassing subject it is
Gorgeous! Happy birthday mdear x