TV Show spotlight
Teenager
A sweating man breathes rapidly from exertion as he open a packet and pulls out a DVD with the words "Salvation comes from within" on it. Impatiently he plays the film, which appears to be a Max Fleischer cartoon of the three blind mice singing. Soon, the mice deliver a message, telling the man to go to a specific street corner. Off he runs, through modern Los Angeles crowds. At the designated corner, a street person talks to him about shoes, then a cell phone rings, which he finds and answers. A voice sends him running - to avert a tragedy, to find salvation, or because he's trapped in earthly pursuits? Is this cosmic cat and mouse? Will he stop to smell the roses?
Insights
Plot Summary
This documentary explores the lives and challenges faced by teenagers in the mid-1970s, offering a raw and unfiltered look at their aspirations, struggles, and the societal pressures they encountered. It delves into themes of identity, rebellion, and the transition into adulthood during a period of significant cultural change.
Critical Reception
As a documentary from the 1970s, 'Teenager' is less about widespread critical acclaim and more about its historical significance as a sociological snapshot. It was noted for its candid approach to adolescent life, providing an authentic, if sometimes stark, portrayal of youth culture during that era.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its direct and unvarnished depiction of teenage life.
Considered a valuable historical document of youth culture in the 1970s.
Some found its realism to be confronting.
Google audience: Audience reception is difficult to gauge due to the film's age and documentary nature, but it is often cited by those who have seen it as an impactful and authentic look at a bygone generation's adolescent experiences.
Fun Fact
The film was made during a period when observational documentaries were gaining prominence, aiming to capture the 'real' lives of subjects without heavy editorializing.
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