alike.com.ph—Yes, we know. We’re still crying, too.
2018, or as the internet has been calling it, “Twenty-Gayteen,” brought us the long-awaited release of “Love, Simon.” The film is an adaptation of Becky Albertalli’s YA smash, “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.” The story follows Simon Spier, a teenage boy whose biggest secret, his sexual orientation, is exposed to his classmates by way of a malicious post on social media. But on his journey to finally being open about the secret he’s kept for so long, he finds love.
“Love, Simon” continues the tradition of coming-of-age films on the silver screen. In these stories, the protagonists embarks on journeys that test their strength, and forces them to grow. As we see these events unfold, we may even find that their stories resonate with us because their journeys mirrors those of our own, in more than a few ways.
Here are some recent coming-of-age films, both Filipino and foreign, that you may enjoy after seeing “Love, Simon.”
1. G.B.F. (2013)
Tanner Daniels (Michael J. Willett), the protagonist of “G.B.F.,” is quite similar to Simon Spier. They are both quiet, unassuming high school kids who keep to themselves until another person at their school (with a selfish agenda) forces them out of the closet. When Tanner is outed, the school’s three rival queen bees compete for his attention, so they can be in with the year’s hottest trend: the G.B.F. (Gay Best Friend).
2. Geography Club (2013)
Russell Middlebrook (Cameron Deane Stewart), a senior at Goodkind High School, is being pressured to live exactly like his father did, except Russell has one problem: he’s gay. After he’s caught by a fellow student kissing his secret lover, he is blackmailed into joining the “Geography Club,” a front for a secret union consisting of the school’s LGBT+ students.
3. The Kings of Summer (2013)
If you enjoyed Nick Robinson in “Love, Simon,” you’ll be happy to know that wasn’t his first coming-of-age film. In “The Kings of Summer,” he plays Joe Toy, a teenager whose frustrations with his father’s restrictive style of parenting have reached a boiling point. In the dead of night, Joe and two of his friends run away from home to live in the woods, where they can’t be found.
4. 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten (2016)
The first Filipino film on this list packs a punch! The film is set in Pampanga in the late ‘90s, and revolves around a quiet, yet intelligent high school kid, Felix (Khalil Ramos). The arrival of two new half-American brothers to the school shakes him up as he finds himself drawn to one of them (Ethan Salvador).
5. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
The hit novel-turned-film features Logan Lerman in the role of Charlie, the titular “wallflower.” The withdrawn Charlie, who suffers from mental health problems, is uneasy about beginning his freshman year. But things change for him when he finds himself in the company of the hilariously outspoken Patrick (Ezra Miller), Patrick’s sister Sam (Emma Watson), and their friends.
6. The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros / Ang Pagdadalaga Ni Maximo Oliveros (2005)
Auraeus Solito’s “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros” is a world-recognized staple of Philippine LGBT+ cinema, having represented the country at the 79th Academy Awards. The film tells the story of Maxi (Nathan Lopez), a young effeminate gay boy who lives with his thieving family in the slums of Manila. Throughout the course of the film, Maxi falls in love with a much older police officer (JR Valentin).
7. Camp (2003)
To the musical theatre lovers out there who enjoyed Creekwood High School’s production of “Cabaret,” don’t think we’ve forgotten about you. “Camp” that revolves around a diverse group of teens who spend their summer at a musical theatre camp. It’s worth the watch if only to see a young Anna Kendrick playing the obsessive Fritzie, and singing Sondheim before “Into the Woods” happened.
8. Baka Bukas (2016)
“Baka Bukas” is the story of Alex (Jasmine Curtis-Smith), a young creative trying to juggle multiple jobs. She’s already come out as a lesbian to all her family and friends, except one person: her best friend, Jess (Louise delos Reyes). Though initially shocked at the revelation, Jess opens herself up to the possibility of a relationship with Alex, and they explore a romantic future together.
9. I Killed My Mother / J’ai Tué Ma Mère (2009)
“J’ai Tué Ma Mère” is the directorial debut of Xavier Dolan, who also wrote and starred in the film. At the time “J’ai Tué Ma Mère” premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, he was only 20 years old. Dolan plays the role of Hubert, an angsty, high school-age teenager who bears some resentment for his mother (Anne Dorval). With the help of his boyfriend (François Arnaud), Hubert attempts to navigate through his feelings of anger.
10. Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Luca Guadagnino’s adaptation of André Aciman’s 2007 novel of the same name took the internet by storm because of its quiet intensity (thanks to its Academy Award-winning screenplay by James Ivory) and a heart-rending performance by Timothée Chalamet. The film takes place in a quiet part of Northern Italy in 1983, and explores the relationship between Chalamet’s Elio and an American graduate student, Oliver.
Of course, these are just a few out of the multitudes of coming-of-age stories ever committed to the cinematic medium. There’s a coming-of-age stories out there for everyone — one that will get you saying, “There! That’s me!” As Simon himself would say, “Everyone deserves a great love story” — or in this case, just a great story!
Have you found a coming-of-age film that mirrors your own experience?
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