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[img_assist|fid=1352|thumb=1|alt=A outsiders|caption=The outsiders]
Contributing Editor Stefania Pomponi Butler blogs CityMama and Family Food, and contributes to KimchiMamas.
I grew up in Atherton, California, a sleepy commuter suburb of San Francisco. Like every suburban small town viewed through "teen eyes," it was booooooooring. ("God, there's nothing to do here. This town sucks.") What didn't suck, however, was the Varsity Theater in nearby Palo Alto (now a Borders Books; yes, I signed the petition) where all the cute skater boys hung out and where you could see a double feature for $4 every Friday and Saturday night. I spent more time watching movies there with my friends than doing just about anything else. It was our weekend ritual.
It was there that I learned to love movies, especially the angst-ridden teen movies that are so etched in my being. Like a good teenager, I internalized every. single. one. (Then was a complete asshole to my parents.)
I'm so going to date myself, but I'd like to present five movies for a tortured teenage soul that had the greatest impact on me. I could watch them over and over again. In no particular order I give you:>
1. Valley Girl (1983): Like ohmygawd! It's a young Nic Nage in his star-making role as a punk rock teenager! Deborah Foreman (the female lead, whatever happened to her?) totally looked as old as mom even back then.
2. The Outsiders (1983): The movie version of the S.E. Hinton classic starred Matt Dillion, Ralph Macchio, C. Thomas Howell, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Tom Cruise, Leif Garrett, and, oh yeah, Diane Lane. Director Francis Ford Coppola is no fool. He knew exactly who his target market was and made sure every single member of it would pay to see this movie.
3. Fame (1980): This movie changed my life. I had been taking ballet classes since I was five years old and loved dance more than anything. After I saw Fame, I concentrated less on ballet and focused on other forms of dance. And, I also wanted to attend the High School for the Performing Arts. (Fame joins The Turning Point, and Flashdance to complete my ultimate dance movie triumverate.)
4. Quadrophenia (1979): I have seen this movie too many times to count. My favorite part? Sting, of course. I always said that when I was old enough I'd go to Brighton...I've been England, but never made it there. Maybe I'm holding out to see it by Vespa.
5. Endless Love (1981): My love...there's only you in my life...the only thing that's right... Come on, admit it. You loved this movie, too. It had everything: King of Melodrama Franco Zeffirelli directing, Brooke Shields doing what she does best—teen sex, and tons of teenage angst. "What do mean I can't see him?! He's my boyfriend!!! (sob!)" If you haven't seen this recently, trust me, you must. rent. it.
I showed you mine, now you show me yours! Which movies had the greatest impact on your teen years?
