Smooth Talk
Seriously, considering watching this if you haven't.I think this is one of the best coming-of-age movies, not just of the 1980s, but of all time. The film feels like a typical coming-of-age story about a young girl who wants to have fun while also dealing with a tumultuous relationship with her family, especially her mother, who expects the best from her but may not always show her intentions clearly. What makes this movie stand out as a must-see and a staple of its subgenre are its sinister undertones, which run throughout the film and reappear in the last thirty minutes, creating an unsettling and thoughtful final act thanks to the vampiric "piped piper" known as Arnold Friend, a disturbing character inspired by real-life serial killer Charles Schmid. After my first viewing, I looked at the short story that "Smooth Talk" is based on, titled "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been" by Joyce Carol Oates, and I think it's a fantastic adaptation that expands on the original story while also adding its touch to reflect Joyce Chopra's vision. Laura Dern is excellent as Connie, and the writing makes you believe in her actions and conflicts with her family. The dialogue feels realistic to how teens are, and the first hour does a great job of setting up Connie's character. Like the blockquote suggests, check it out if you haven't—it'll be worth it.