My Top 10 Coming of Age Films

„Coming of Age“ by Johnathan Frank

When it comes to coming of age in real life - and it is something everyone must experience at least once in their lives - we often search for help in the world of art. Songs, albums, films and paintings, there are many possibilities to deal with and express this strange phenomena that is sometimes described as a feeling, sometimes as a phase in life. 

Coming of age is painful and joyful at the same time, it is a sweet despair, to say it with this great expression I just recently heard in the picture My Week with Marilyn, although in the film it was supposed to describe first love. But isn't first love and coming of age very much related?

To celebrate my 18th summer, I today give you my Top 10 Coming of Age Films - a compilation of films that deal with growing up and learning about life. The ranking has nothing to do with my favourite films of all time, it's more about the value they have to me as coming of age films. 

So sit back, listen to the music, and enjoy.

10. Udaan

Taught me that sometimes it's okay to run away.

„Coming of age ain't about what you do

It's giving in to what's predefined

When you trade all your dreams for compromise

It is never what you have in mind“

9. An Education

Taught me that there are different ways to get to Paris.

„One shot of happy, two shots of sad

That's how our lives are aligned

The path that you chose has got highs has got lows

But it's never what you have in mind“

8. The Dreamers

Taught me about old films and other stuff.

„I must say that I still wonder why it disappears

Must say that I still wonder why

The years keep tumbling by“

7. Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging

Taught me sometimes everything turns out better than expected.

„Coming of age ain't about who you meet

It's about the people who leave you behind

Your brothers, your parents, your lovers, your friends

It is never what you have in mind“

6. Mysterious Skin

Taught me that sometimes everything turns out worse than expected.

„One shot of happy, two shots of sad

We know we might run out of time

But when it comes to living, dying is the easy part

Not exactly what you had in mind“

5. The Little Mermaid

Taught me why the grass is always greener on the other side. 

„I really doubt that I'll find out why it disappears

I really doubt that I'll find out

What these years are all about“

4. Dirty Dancing

Taught me to enjoy the dance while it lasts.

„You might ask if these thoughts that I just summed up

Are of any importance to you“

3. Harry Potter films

Taught me to never stop dreaming.

„Maybe not but when things don't turn out like you planned

It helps to know that they never do“

2. Stand by Me

Taught me that you can't run away from growing up.

„Besides, if each shot of happy

Comes with only two shots of sad

Then coming of age is not so bad

Then coming of age is not so bad

Then coming of age is not so bad...“

1. The Graduate

Taught me something I can't put into words.

„Then coming of age is not so bad.“