The Martlet

Cinema usually follows a hackneyed and formulaic approach to the teen blockbuster, hoping to cash in on the awkward teenager in all of us. The football captain stands up for what’s right, the dorky girl commands inner beauty and, despite it all, the right guy gets the girl.

But despite the easy cash-in, there are a few movies that manage to portray school-age gracelessness with all its sweet sincerity. Looking for a little flashback of nostalgia for times past?

Check out the following flicks — you might not miss those awkward days now, but these films won’t leave you disappointed.

High school summarized

Dazed and Confused (1993) Runtime: 103 min Accuracy score: 8/10 Plot: The year is 1976, and it’s the last day of school. Junior high and high school students celebrate their coming of age — could it get any better? Memorable quote: “That’s what I love about these high school girls, man. I get older, they stay the same age.” Why it’s matters: This movie has so much to say about starting something new, sticking with what’s known and leaving it all behind, and it does it all with potheads, preps and pedophiles. Honourable mentions: Fast Times at Ridgemont High, The Breakfast Club

Fitting in

Mean Girls (2004) Runtime: 96 min Accuracy score: 7/10 Plot: Cady Heron is the naïve new girl who’s been homeschooled her whole life. Enter ‘the plastics,’ a popular clique who teach her the harsh lessons of high school do’s and don’ts. Life’s about to get mean. Memorable quote: “On Wednesdays we wear pink!” Why it matters: The clique battle-lines and the underhanded nature of girl politics ring true. The honesty Lindsay Lohan brings to Cady make us all feel for the sweet girl just trying to fit in. Honourable mentions: Rebel Without a Cause

The loveable slacker

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) Runtime: 102 min Accuracy score: 8.5/10 Plot: Ferris Bueller concocts a wild day of playing hooky, despite the efforts of his stubborn principal — crazy antics ensue. Memorable quote: “Hey, Cameron. You realize if we played by the rules right now we’d be in gym?” Why it matters: Despite hare-brained schemes that succeed against all odds, the movie gains earnestness in how the characters deal with rude authority, jealous siblings and what really matters in life. Honourable mentions: Van Wilder

The buddy film

Superbad (2007) Runtime: 119 min Accuracy score: 9/10 Plot: High school seniors Seth and Evan are forced to deal with their separation as best friends as college hopes loom near and their attempt to get liquor for a party goes awry — we’ve all been there. Memorable quote: “You know when you hear girls say, ‘Ah man, I was so shit-faced last night, I shouldn’t have slept with that guy’? We could be that mistake!” Why it matters: It’s gross, it’s rude and it’s smart. Despite some wild shenanigans, fantastic acting and sincere writing portray the feelings of growing up, moving out and moving on. Honourable mentions: American Pie, Bill and Ted series

The outcast

Carrie (1976) Runtime: 90 min Accuracy score: 7.5/10 Plot: A shy and awkward young girl with telekinetic powers finds herself at the breaking point — proving once and for all it’s always the quiet ones. Memorable quote: “It was bad, Mama. They laughed at me.” Why it matters: We’ve all been out of place, laughed at, or ridiculed at some point. Carrie demonstrates that feeling to the extreme, and kicks bullying in the face. Honourable mentions: Donnie Darko, Napoleon Dynamite