Social Groups (looking at films pt5)

One important key factor I have noticed while researching these films, the social groups play a huge role when it comes to these (especially teen coming of age) films. So what is extremely important and should be realized, is that every protagonist any of these movies have, are all unordinary, yet normal people. The film concentrates on the flawed person and thats what makes them human. It creates relatability for these movies for viewers to create a connection to their main character. I wanted to give a few examples of what I mean. Mean Girls (2004) shows the absolute perfect example.



Mean Girls (2004) introduces Caddy Heron, a new student to their high school. Caddy is the protagonist of the film, and attempts to fit in with the "mean girls" to fulfill a plan seen in the movie. Caddy was homeschooled all her life, and has a lack of street smarts which is her flaw brought out in this movie.

Social Groups is introduced to her when her new friends show her around the school, and who she should or shouldn't hang out with during lunch.

When viewing, filmmakers intentionally diverse their cafeteria with different people: cliques and social groups. It was made to emphasize the high school atmosphere that everyone stuck with their "people" and denied to come together. Most films are like this, they start off very diverse. But toward the end of the movie, all these different groups come together over a specific topic, which I wont reveal if you haven't seen it.

Any movie that is coming of age themed is going to include a diverse feel at the beginning, with a unique protagonist for interest of the viewer, and will finish off in harmony of people and their differences put aside.

You can see more examples of these, more obvious of the different social groups, in teen- directed movies.




                                                                                                                                             



Movies such as Clueless (1995), The Outsiders (1983), and The Kissing Booth (2018) implement the idea of diverse social groups in their films.