Puberty Blues

Written by Margaret Kelly and directed by Bruce Beresford, Puberty Blues from 1981 delivers a raw, intense, and authentic look into the lives of two teenage girls wrestling with the tumultuous and often harrowing rollercoaster ride that is adolescence. The movie stars Nell Schofield, Jad Capelja, and Jeffrey Rhoe, who, along with the rest of the ensemble cast, do an incredible job in portraying the sunny, surf-obsessed youth culture of the 1970s southern Sydney suburbs in Australia where the story is set.

The movie pivots around two main characters, Debbie (played by the captivating Nell Schofield) and Sue (the equally compelling Jad Capelja) who are best friends and high school students in the Cronulla suburb of Sydney. The duo yearns for acceptance from the cool 'in' crowd and become involved in the surf scene, a rite of passage marking the transition from childhood to adolescence. However, the journey is not as smooth as it seems from the outset. The transition is marked by peer pressure, changing relationships, experimentations with substances, and the pivotal realization of the oppressive sexism that exists in their community. The narrative offers a brutally honest and stark portrayal of what it's like to be a young woman coming of age in a patriarchal society.

The young actresses navigate these complexities with an equal measure of vulnerability and strength. Schofield and Capelja breathe life into their characters, making them relatable to viewers across ages and cultures. Schofield's Debbie is sincere and strong-willed while Capelja's Sue embodies the struggle of a young girl trying to maintain her individualism amidst societal pressure. Jeffrey Rhoe is also remarkable in his role, contributing to the atmosphere of the surf culture that is so integral to the narrative.

Puberty Blues is as much a portrait of the distinctive Aussie surf culture as it is a story about teenage angst and growing up. The discipline it requires to mount the waves mirrors the discipline required to navigate the tribulations of adolescence. Moreover, the surf culture forms a somewhat regressive, machismo-infused environment that the girls must challenge and break free from. The beach, a symbol of freedom and escape, thus becomes a place of both liberation and restriction.

The film is set against the backdrop of the 70's, a period marked by shifting mores and rising feminist waves. Tensions arising from this, are conveyed through a complex network of relationships and interactions that the two protagonists are a part of — parents that are distant or unsupportive, boyfriends who are dismissive and objectifying, and friends who are manipulative and judgmental. The film doesn't shy away from painting a raw, unflinching picture of these complications, thereby portraying the real pressures faced by girls navigating their teenage years.

The direction by Bruce Beresford is outstanding, encapsulating the spirit, emotions, and nuances of the narrative and masterfully transporting the audience into the world of Debbie and Sue. The soundtrack, rich with tunes from the era, adds a layer of realism, giving viewers the gusto and punch associated with this period in history and culture. It manages to score direct hits at the viewers’ nostalgic chords, taking them back in the late summers of the 1970s.

In conclusion, Puberty Blues is a visceral and at times heartbreaking exploration of adolescence and the complexities involved with it, explored through the culture and framework of the Australian suburban landscape. It takes an uncompromising look at the stark disparities of a patriarchal society that can make the journey to adulthood a brutal rite of passage. But within this narrative, it also manages to encompass the resilience and strength of its young female protagonists who strive to challenge and break the molds imposed on them. Dynamic, poignant, and uncomfortably raw, Puberty Blues is a powerful portrayal of teenage life in all its glory and heartbreak and is a must-watch for anyone who seeks an honest look at the trials and tribulations of growing up.