10 Best Coming Of Age Movies Of The 21st Century

8. Juno

Year of Release: 2007Director: Jason Reitman Juno reminds me of a less offensive version of pretty much every other teen film released by America nowadays. The dangerous topics of sex, drugs, parenting and pregnancy are all tackled in an effectively grown-up and light-hearted way. There€™s a lot to adore about this film and it€™s spear-headed by a unique performance from star, Ellen Page. Two best friends, Juno and Paulie (Michael Cera), have sex with each other sometime before the start of the movie. Juno ends up pregnant and must deal with the consequences whilst navigating her way through teen-life. I've never been put in this situation but can assume when facing the every-day struggles of teenage life, it ain't much easier carrying around a massive baby bump. Jason Reitman is a clever and talented filmmaker though and manages to keep this comedy grounded whilst still displaying a poignant touch which reflects on Juno's youth and naivety. She's very confident in her own abilities and is almost someone to be jealous of, comfortable in her own shoes and new plus-sized garments. As the film goes on, she becomes fragile, as we all do at one point or another, beginning to second-guess her decisions; it's a remarkable film and a remarkable performance. Like so many of these movies, there are two worlds at work. One is Juno the quick-witted teenager and the other is Juno the mother-to-be. These two worlds are not contrasted, like in some of the other examples on this list, but brought together through dexterous craftmanship and Page's hilarious turn. It's a coming-of-age movie with a humorous twist that is both tragic and poignant.