Puberty Blues (1981)

"Puberty Blues" (1981) offers a raw and unflinching look at the teenage mating rituals and social pressures faced by girls in the southern suburbs of Sydney during the late 1970s. The film centers on Sue, a young Australian girl navigating a world where observation of surfing boys and sexual encounters with them are paramount. The narrative highlights the peculiar customs and expectations placed upon these girls, such as abstaining from eating or using the bathroom in the presence of boys, and the stark choices available to those deemed less attractive: either becoming bitter and boy-hating, or being perceived as promiscuous and disrespected. Afternoons are a blur of beach hangouts, car backseat encounters, and clandestine house parties fueled by alcohol and sex, all while parents and teachers struggle to instill a sense of order in a generation that seems determined to defy it. Bruce Beresford's inclusion of "Puberty Blues" on a "Best Bruce Beresford Movies" list is certainly justifiable, though perhaps less immediately obvious than his more widely acclaimed works. Beresford, known for his keen social observation and ability to capture the nuances of Australian life, brings a sensitive yet unsentimental lens to the often-awkward and confusing experiences of adolescence. While not a grand epic or a historical drama, "Puberty Blues" showcases Beresford's talent for depicting authentic characters and capturing a specific cultural moment. His direction allows the film to explore themes of female agency, societal expectations, and the often-unspoken rules of teenage courtship with a maturity that resonates, demonstrating his versatility beyond more genre-defined films and solidifying its place as a significant work within his diverse filmography.