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Today I'm thinking about 1980s teen comedy movies (as I usually do) and I come to the following conclusion

Posted by Max Apr 11 '16, 09:53

(this being transition analysis, the era I'm thinking of is really 1978-1992 as "the '80s)

The beginning of the decade was marked by sex romps featuring frats or spring break and guys trying to get laid. This was a carryover from the 70s that began with Animal House and was highlighted by Porky's and Revenge of the Nerds. Nerds vs. Jocks being a common theme.

The middle of the decade was marked by John Hughes style comedy/dramas more focused on one-on-one romance, and used rich vs poor as a common theme. I'd say Say Anything marked the end of this group.

The end of the decade was marked by the rise of... Winona Ryder style dramedies, featuring far more introspection and some darker comedy critique of social norms: Lucas to Beetlejuice to Heathers to Edward Scissorhands, and Pump Up the Volume.

Yes? No?

And then the 90s began with... Dazed and Confused maybe?

Responses:

i would say the 90s began with Wayne's World - the brain Apr 11, 10:08 3
- I think I agree with this. -- nm - Mel Profit Apr 11, 10:12
- man, gun to my head I can't even recall what age they were supposed to be in the movie. -- nm - Max Apr 11, 10:10 1
  - they never referenced school IIRC -- nm - groiny Apr 11, 10:11
also interesting is the transition from women as sex objects to women as central characters. -- nm - Max Apr 11, 10:07
b.hammers post -- nm* - the brain Apr 11, 10:04
I would think of those in your "end of the decade" paragraph as more 90s and 80s -- nm* - prayformojo Apr 11, 10:01 1
- ah, so maybe look at it as the [80s] ran from 1978 to 1989, and the 90s ran from 1989+, maybe with a parenthood/young adult transition in between -- nm* - Max Apr 11, 10:02
American Pie. -- nm - groiny Apr 11, 09:59 10
- I haven't looked over the 90s but my gut says it followed the reverse pattern. -- nm - Max Apr 11, 10:01 9
  - What were the John Hughes-style comedies of the 90s? -- nm - Roger More Apr 11, 10:04 4
    - Varsity Blues, She's All That maybe? -- (edited) - Max Apr 11, 10:06 3
      - Oh, Can't Hardly Wait. (The late 90s also started the "Shakespeare-in high school' trend) -- nm - Roger More Apr 11, 10:10 2
        
        And the best, 10 Things... -- nm - Will Hunting Apr 11, 10:18
        
        (and Clueless) -- nm - Roger More Apr 11, 10:17
  - American Pie, Road Trip, Eurotrip come to mind. -- nm - groiny Apr 11, 10:02 3
    - 99, 00, 04 iirc... -- nm - Will Hunting Apr 11, 10:09 2
      - Eurotrip was that recent??? - groiny Apr 11, 10:09 1
        
        Yep. -- nm - Will Hunting Apr 11, 10:33
Sounds about right. -- nm - volnelk Apr 11, 09:58

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Today I'm thinking about 1980s teen comedy movies (as I usually do) and I come to the following conclusion

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