Someone please explain to me how a silly film like "American Pie" can get a higher rating than this one? What does that say about IMDb and its users?
But perhaps that's cultural differences as well? I'm European and I spent one year at an American college. After that, "American Pie" seemed more like a documentary to me. But well, I can see lots of Americans can relate to this film as well. So that can't be it.
I could not relate to "American Pie" as a teenager and I cannot now.
"La Boum" I could very much relate to as a teenager and I watched it again now and have to say that it's more than just nostalgia.
Where "American Pie" (wikipedia seriously uses the term "coming-of-age") presents being a teenager as being all about sex and has the silliest jokes one could imagine, "La Boum" takes teenagers seriously and is actually about first love, not about sex. It's not about cheap laughs either. Yes, you have comedy elements, but mostly, it's a coming-of-age film. Not a coming-of-age drama, no. It's not a deep film. But it's about being a teenager. First love, the whole emotional rollercoaster, trouble with your parents etc.
I also think that it has a great soundtrack. I like listening to it, just not "Reality". That's a song that belongs in the movie, fits perfectly. It is a big part of the film, sets the tone (= first love, not first sex). And the headphones scene: Yes, to me that's a depiction of falling in love I can feel.
Music-wise, what I enjoy listening to without watching the movie are the Rock N Roll and Ska songs though.
I recommend to watch this film if you want to watch some coming-of-age film that is not too deep but still takes the protagonist and her feelings and problems seriously, while at same time being diverting and charming.
If your teenage years were focused on getting laid, you won't be able to relate and will not like this film.
It's very 80s but I think it has aged very well, because the topics are as relevant as ever. At least my experience of being a teenager I do see represented here. I can relate.
But perhaps that's cultural differences as well? I'm European and I spent one year at an American college. After that, "American Pie" seemed more like a documentary to me. But well, I can see lots of Americans can relate to this film as well. So that can't be it.
I could not relate to "American Pie" as a teenager and I cannot now.
"La Boum" I could very much relate to as a teenager and I watched it again now and have to say that it's more than just nostalgia.
Where "American Pie" (wikipedia seriously uses the term "coming-of-age") presents being a teenager as being all about sex and has the silliest jokes one could imagine, "La Boum" takes teenagers seriously and is actually about first love, not about sex. It's not about cheap laughs either. Yes, you have comedy elements, but mostly, it's a coming-of-age film. Not a coming-of-age drama, no. It's not a deep film. But it's about being a teenager. First love, the whole emotional rollercoaster, trouble with your parents etc.
I also think that it has a great soundtrack. I like listening to it, just not "Reality". That's a song that belongs in the movie, fits perfectly. It is a big part of the film, sets the tone (= first love, not first sex). And the headphones scene: Yes, to me that's a depiction of falling in love I can feel.
Music-wise, what I enjoy listening to without watching the movie are the Rock N Roll and Ska songs though.
I recommend to watch this film if you want to watch some coming-of-age film that is not too deep but still takes the protagonist and her feelings and problems seriously, while at same time being diverting and charming.
If your teenage years were focused on getting laid, you won't be able to relate and will not like this film.
It's very 80s but I think it has aged very well, because the topics are as relevant as ever. At least my experience of being a teenager I do see represented here. I can relate.