Filmmakers have been bringing generations of teenaged moviegoers joy, inspiration and comfort with stories that are witty, wise and relatable. M-Net Movies is taking a look at thirteen of these with quotes from the movies which sum up the uncertainty, turmoil and potential of teen years, while taking a glimpse at what happened to its young stars.
The Graduate (1967)
โIt's like I was playing some kind of game, but the rules don't make any sense to me. They're being made up by all the wrong people.โ
Where Are They Now: Following The Graduate, which was Dustin Hoffmanโs second feature film, the young actorโs career went from strength to strength. From Kramer vs. Kramer and Rain Man to Tootsie and Hook, he won over audiences and critics alike.
Sixteen Candles (1984)
โThat's why they call them crushes. If they were easy, they'd call 'em something else.โ
Where Are They Now: Molly Ringwald is still acting today, but her career hasnโt had quite the oomph it did when she was a cinematic darling in the โ80s.
The Breakfast Club (1985)
โYou ought to spend a little more time trying to make something of yourself and a little less time trying to impress people.โ
Where Are They Now: Director John Hughes delighted fans with his light-hearted comedies, and tapped into teen angst with his beloved coming-of-age movies. Sadly, he passed away in 2009.
Stand By Me (1986)
โI don't shut up. I grow up. And when I look at you, I throw up.โ
Where Are They Now: Wil Wheaton has a recurring role as himself on The Big Bang Theory. Corey Feldman mostly makes B-grade horror. Jerry O'Connell is a regular on film and television. River Phoenix sadly passed away at the age of 23.
Ferris Buellerโs Day Off (1986)
โI am not going to sit on my ass as the events that affect me unfold to determine the course of my life.โ
Where Are They Now: Matthew Broderick still works regularly in film and television, and has had great success on stage.
Boyz n the Hood (1991)
โFool you don't go to college to be talkin' to no bitches. Your black ass 'posed to be learnin' somethin'.โ
Where Are They Now: Cuba Gooding Jr. won an Oscar in 1997 for his performance in Jerry Maguire. Ice Cube is still rapping and acting. Morris Chestnut is the title character in the TV series Rosewood. Nia Long and Angela Bassett are still regulars on film and TV, with the latter scooping an Oscar nomination in 1994 for Whatโs Love Got To Do With It. Laurence Fishburne received an Oscar nomination for the same film. The actor remains awesome, making great movies and television like The Matrix trilogy, CSI, Black-ish, and Hannibal.
Dazed and Confused (1993)
โIโd like to stop thinking of the present as some minor, insignificant preamble to something else.โ
Where Are They Now: Matthew McConaughey and Ben Affleck became highly successful in Hollywood, and have three Oscars between them. Milla Jovovich made sure no one would ever forget her when she starred as a world-saving alien in The Fifth Element, and then got her own franchise, with Resident Evil.
Heavenly Creatures (1994)
โOnly the best people fight against all obstacles in pursuit of happiness.โ
Where Are They Now: Both Melanie Lynskey and Kate Winslet are still hard workers in Hollywood, with Winslet the more prominent of the two, especially after her role in Titanic.
The Virgin Suicides (1999)
โYouโre not even old enough to know how bad life gets.โ
Where Are They Now: Kirsten Dunst and Josh Hartnett were already stars by the time this movie was made, thanks to roles in Interview with the Vampire and Halloween H20, respectively. Their stars continue to shine, thanks to roles in Spider-Man, for Dunst, and Penny Dreadful, for Hartnett. ย
Whale Rider (2002)
โI am only a fledgling new to flight.โ
Where Are They Now: Keisha Castle-Hughes joined the cast of Game of Thrones in Season 5.
An Education (2009)
โIf you never do anything, you never become anyone.โ
Where Are They Now: Carey Mulligan and Rosamund Pike have both had great success in film, creating moving performances in highly-acclaimed films.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
โWe can't choose where we come from, but we can choose where we go from there.โ
Where Are They Now: Emma Watson was already a big star thanks to the Harry Potter movies. Today she continues acting, and is a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador.
Boyhood (2014)
โYou know how everyone's always saying seize the moment? I don't know, I'm kinda thinking it's the other way around. You know, like the moment seizes us.โ
Where Are They Now: Ellar Coltrane grew up on screen, making this movie. His next project is the sci-fi film The Circle with Tom Hanks, Emma Watson and John Boyega.
Watch coming-of-age comedyย The Duff, your Sunday night movie on 24 April at 20:05 on M-Net.