The Adolescent
The Adolescent

Movie spotlight

The Adolescent

1965
Movie
66 min
Japanese

A 13-year-old girl, just beginning to realize her own sexuality, comes home one day and finds her mother having sex with a stranger. Horrified, she runs away from home and heads towards her aunt's house in the country, only to be sexually assaulted along the way by a brutish local man. When she arrives at her aunt's house, she discovers that her aunt and cousin are not quite what she thought they were.

Insights

IMDb6.0/10
Director: Michel BoisrondGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

A young woman, frustrated by her mundane life and stifling parental expectations, seeks escape and self-discovery through a series of relationships and experiences. As she navigates the complexities of love, freedom, and identity, she grapples with the consequences of her choices. The film explores themes of generational conflict and the search for authenticity in post-war France.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, 'The Adolescent' received mixed reviews. While some critics praised its exploration of youthful angst and its contemporary setting, others found its narrative unfocused and its characters underdeveloped. The film's attempt to capture the spirit of the era was noted, but its execution was often deemed uneven.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its youthful perspective and attempts to reflect the era's changing social dynamics.

  • Criticized for a meandering plot and a lack of depth in character development.

  • Seen as a product of its time, with some appreciating its modern themes and others finding it dated.

Google audience: Audience reception for 'The Adolescent' is not widely documented, but it is generally considered a minor film from its period, appreciated by those interested in French cinema of the 1960s and the careers of its actors.

Fun Fact

While Françoise Hardy and Jacques Dutronc were already established singers, this film marked a notable, albeit not widely acclaimed, foray into acting for both.

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