Al diablo con la virginidad

This is an early effort from acclaimed Aussie director Bruce Beresford. It was made during the period of the "Australian New Wave" of the 70's and early 80's when there was a proliferation of both of government-sponsored artistic fare and more commercially-minded genre fare emerging from Down Under. The story concerns two teenage girls who decide to join the popular clique at school, even though that mostly seems to mean lying around sunbathing with their most beautiful but most vapid female peers or having embarrassing sex with dimwitted male surfers in the back of a boogie van at the drive-in while all their friends sit in the front.

This is a well-made and fairly realistic film, but it suffers from the same problems as a lot of the teen-oriented movies made in other countries. First off, both the female and male characters look at least five years too old to be teenagers and they are all unusually attractive. One of the female leads kind of approaches ordinary-looking, but the other one, and about every other actor in the cast (even the supposed "nerds") is extraordinarily good-looking. Frankly, it would be easier to sympathize with these virginal girls being taken advantage of by muscle-headed male surfers if they didn't all look like Nichole Kidman (who isn't in this, but would have blended right in). Beresford's camera also spends so much time lingering on barely clad, nubile bodies that I sometimes felt like I was watching a David Hamilton film. Not that there's anything wrong with that necessarily, but it does kind of detract from the seriousness of the film a little bit.

On the plus side, this is an interesting portrait of the late 70's Australian teen surf culture, and it is certainly well-crafted as a film. There was a reason Beresford would go onto to international fame with films like "Breaker Morant". This is somewhat flawed, but an interesting film nevertheless.

Well-paced, evocative and entertaining story of two high school girls who successfully ingratiate themselves into the cool surfer gang. There they are introduced to a world of cheating on exams, smoking, lying to parents, sexism, drinking, perfunctory sex, and drugs.

Though ostensibly the story of best friends Debbie (Nell Schofield) and Sue (Jad Capelja), this is Debbie's story. Debbie is the more dominant of the two actively rejecting the nerds and pushing for inclusion in the cool gang. Sue seems pretty happy with the status quo, but will tag along with Debbie. This keeps the story simpler as Debbie has two troubled relationships, becomes disillusioned, and yearns for a more fulfilling existence. Sue quickly takes up with the most sympathetic of the boys, Danny (Tony Hughes), for a much quieter life.

Apart from Debbie you don't get much insight into the characters though there is some exploration of the troubled Garry (Jeffrey Rhoe). The adult characters seem like caricatures, but this is Debbie's story and that's probably how they seemed to her.

The unmannered performances from the young cast are generally good, adding to the sense of realism, while Schofield is excellent. The music is good and well-used. A few overt comedy scenes seem forced and the film much more effective when it sticks to drama.

Puberty Blues is a movie about being a teenager.. unlike it's American, high budget counterparts such as Pretty in Pink or Fast Times at Ridgemont High, it is a very honest look at life as a teenager. It centres around two girls who are trying to fit in with the "surfie chick" crowd and to do so must participate in the usual teenage antics (sex, drinking, cheating on History tests etc.). What the film lacks in plot, budget and acting it makes up for with sheer honesty - there's no ultra happy "feel-good" ending like in the formentioned counterparts, but instead you are left with the impression that life really was like that for them. All in all, one to be seen, but forgotten.

The sexual revolution arrived late down under, yet for some Cronulla schoolies they're trying to keep it going. The title warns you it's a Blues, no sappy love song nor rock n' roll, so don't expect a Hollywood heartwarming story. This is a tale of pure Aussie adolescence- no holds barred- the bare, naked truth in all it's awkward, hilarious and depressing form!

Yes, Bruce Bereford's 1981 drama does explore the "blues" of schoolgirl Australians at a Sydney school. Except they must have gone through puberty at least four or five years earlier.

This colourful beach'n'surf high school drama follows a group of late- teen girls who are itching to infiltrate the world of surfer dudes who are their male idols. Much in the same almost clichéd way that U.S. football players are the supposed target for cheerleaders, this disparate bunch just want to lose their virginity and be accepted as young adults.

Neighbours and Home & Away (not that I really watched those soaps) it is not. Back thirty years ago, the natural dialogue must have seemed fresh and both invigorating or shocking, depending on your age and such. I can imagine the home teen audience then (here 15 certificate) flocking to see it. However, this isn't a competitor for those knowing, amoral and sassy American 'youth' dramas, from the likes of John Hughes.

Firstly, the characters are all a bit colourless, with no-one standing out as having any charisma to speak of. The awkward fumblings of half- hidden sex scenes arrive within twenty or so minutes, all totally unromantic and un-erotic. Secondly, we've all seen (& most probably tried) the usual experimenting with cigarettes, alcohol and soft drugs, with headmasters going off on one, and so these scenes are just regurgitating the same old stuff.

Finally, the film looks and feels dated. It won't capture the imagination of today's late teenage audience and holds no trump cards for us older ones to latch onto. There's precious little actual surfing, so it's not for them, either. There are some nice scenes at the start with beautiful bodies on golden sands getting as many inches of their bodies exposed to the sun as legally possible, but you can (sort of) get that in a holiday brochure.

There are some attempts at comedy, such as a fight on the beach, with dubbed-on karate chop noises but just aren't funny, at least now. It does end on an upbeat note though, which is actually quite welcome. One of the (few) highlights, for me, at least, were a couple of female-sung cover versions of Split Enz songs, one of my favourite bands and in the early 80's were popular over here as well as their native New Zealand. Pleasantly odd when two of your favourite songs start playing and they fit perfectly, lyrically - and mood-wise - into the narrative.

I watched it as part of the 12 disc box set 'Australian Cinema Collection'.