Movies for Aimless 20-somethings or 20-somethings with direction who are feeling nostalgic
February 8, 2009 10:46 PM   Subscribe

So I really liked the movie Reality Bites (for better or worse). Can you suggest other films for me?

The film brought an odd and immense amount of escapist comfort to me during my recent post-baccalaureate, grad-school and unemployment years when I worried about money and direction but loved living with my own overeducated and similarly worried enclave of friends. I now have a sudden urge to see more movies like it. IMDb and Netflix suggest Singles and St. Elmo's Fire for me, that doesn't seem quite right.

Suggestions?
posted by universal_qlc to Society & Culture (20 answers total) 6 users marked this as a favorite
 
You are looking for coming-of-age type movies. Wes Anderson's Rushmore and The Darjeeling Limited are both 'looking for direction' movies. Also try Slacker. All worthwhile...
posted by GleepGlop at 10:59 PM on February 8, 2009


These, mostly. But you want some Linklater, you do.
posted by holgate at 11:09 PM on February 8, 2009 [1 favorite]


Try High Fidelity.... not the same age bracket but if you are looking for a movie that might reflect angst and that feeling of 'what direction am I going/should I go' it will do it.

Definitely on my top 5 favorite movies list.....
posted by Weaslegirl at 11:22 PM on February 8, 2009


Kicking and Screaming. Definitely.
posted by wsquared at 11:43 PM on February 8, 2009 [1 favorite]


Before Sunrise. I have had the same relationship with Reality Bites, and this has something (other than Ethan Hawke) of the same thing, with less pop culture referencing and more grand romantic student earnestness.

If you're feeling masochistic, Quarterlife is like the most self-indulgent, obnoxious moments of all the characters in Reality Bites, plus vlogging. I watched all of it over two weeks of pre-exam freaking out. It's terrible, it never got better, and yet...
posted by carbide at 12:31 AM on February 9, 2009 [1 favorite]


You have described the movie Kicking and Screaming. Which is not about coming of age. It's about not wanting to come of age.
posted by Wayman Tisdale at 12:32 AM on February 9, 2009


I was going to recommend Singles and Chasing Amy too. Also Good Will Hunting, 4 Weddings and a Funeral, Sideways, Grosse Point Blank and Beautiful Girls.

But Amazon beat me to it. Creepy.
posted by fshgrl at 1:30 AM on February 9, 2009




With Honors
posted by greta simone at 3:44 AM on February 9, 2009 [2 favorites]


Check this question.
posted by fire&wings at 3:57 AM on February 9, 2009


Empire Records?
posted by Emilyisnow at 5:16 AM on February 9, 2009


The Low Life
posted by Pollomacho at 6:38 AM on February 9, 2009


Diner, Fandango, Breaking Away, maybe Igby Goes Down?
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 6:47 AM on February 9, 2009 [2 favorites]


Nthing Kicking and Screaming. Also, The Pompatus of Love.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 7:46 AM on February 9, 2009


It's not a movie, but Avenue Q fits this so perfectly that I had to mention it.

Empire Records is also a good suggestion, though it may be skewed a little younger than you're looking for (Liv Tyler's character is graduating from high school, but I think most of the other characters are college-aged but not in college). For the love of God though, get the original version if you can and not the special edition. The deleted scenes were deleted for a reason, and I have not talked to one person who doesn't hate them.
posted by natabat at 8:24 AM on February 9, 2009


I'd suggest Beautiful Girls.

It's more about relationships in your late 20's, but does focus around a guy who returns to his very small hometown to visit his strange family and friends who never left.
posted by patientpatient at 8:43 AM on February 9, 2009 [1 favorite]


Garden State. It's fabulous, great soundtrack too.
posted by Jubey at 2:23 PM on February 9, 2009


Funny Ha
posted by stratastar at 8:02 PM on February 9, 2009


Wet Hot American Summer? Especially if you are going for the "not such a great film but really sweet" quality.
posted by Lesser Shrew at 8:54 PM on February 9, 2009


Threesome fits the bill.
posted by SuzySmith at 9:45 PM on February 9, 2009


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