Teenage Mother

Teenage Mother is a 1967 American film directed by Jerry Gross, and starring Arlene Farber, Frederick Riccio, and Julie Ange. It's a high school drama that was positioned as an educational film during a period when movies about sensitive social issues were growing in popularity.

In the film, Arlene Farber stars as Arlene Taylor, a young and rebellious 15-year-old high-school student with an intriguing and multi-faceted personality. Her strong and magnetic performance drives the film’s narrative. Arlene is a girl wise beyond her years, who had grown up faster than her peers and struggles with the societal norms of her time. She is fierce, defiant, and doesn't shy away from challenges, making her an unforgettable character in this unique coming-of-age drama.

Frederick Riccio gives a remarkable performance as the male lead, Tony. Riccio’s character resonates with an earnest charm, deftly navigating a complex maze of the trials and tribulations of high school life while dealing with his developing emotions for Arlene.

Julie Ange, on the other hand, brings depth to the film with her portrayal of the compassionate and caring character who tries to help Arlene through her tumultuous journey. The interactions between the characters create a compelling and gripping narrative that resonates with raw authenticity, making the audience delve into the tumultuous world of teenage dilemmas.

The plot is set in a traditional suburban American high school, accurately capturing the zeitgeist of the late 1960s. Amidst these seemingly mundane surrounds, the narrative explores topics such as adolescent love, peer pressure, teenage pregnancy, and the importance of sex education in schools. Following Arlene's story, the film provides a poignant, stark, and at times uncomfortable exploration of these provocative themes. It looks unflinchingly at the social norms of the era, painting an engaging portrait of the challenges and struggles faced by teenagers.

Teenage Mother attempts to broach the subject of teenage pregnancy and attempted abortion long before it was a widespread topic. It offers an insightful look into the profound ramifications and stigmas associated with unplanned pregnancies in teenagers, something that was considered particularly scandalous in the sixties. The hard-hitting truth this film delivers forces its viewers to reflect on societal attitudes and the accessibility of essential education.

The film also shines a light on the vital role of sex education, a subject not generally ventured into back then. It introduces a sex education teacher who tries to expose the students to the realities of sexual relationships, physical changes, and potential consequences, aiming to prepare them for mature decision-making. However, the teacher faces a significant backlash from traditionally minded parents. This conflict indicates the significant shifts in societal norms and attitudes during the time and forms a crucial part of the overall narrative.

Further, one can't ignore Teenage Mother's technical aspects. The cinematography and the execution of the drama in black and white adds a striking style to the movie and enhances the heightened emotion depicted in the story. It echoes the lack of clear 'black and white' solutions available for the profound situations these young characters find themselves in.

Director Jerry Gross, known for his exploitation films in the sixties, uses this medium to artfully encapsulate an era, adjusting his lens to focus on the gritty reality of taboo subjects. His handling of Teenage Mother sets it apart from many other teenage melodramas, with its raw and unfiltered hindsight view of the life of teenagers in the 1960s.

Teenage Mother is an intense exploration of adolescence, consequence, and the abrasive confrontation between tradition and modernity. Its portrayal of the rebellion against societal norms and the struggle of navigating through teenage issues makes it an impactful cinematic experience. It provides an unvarnished view of an era and societal attitudes that have shaped the lives of generations to come. Against the backdrop of a seemingly traditional high school, Teenage Mother dares to bring out in the open what society often preferred to sweep under the carpet.