Puberty BluesSet around the beaches of Cronulla, Bruce Beresford's coming-of-age drama is essentially an 'ocker' movie for girls.
Based on Kathy Lette and Gabrielle Carey's semi-autobiographical novel, Puberty Blues taps into a very Australian obsession and identification with beach and surf culture.
Aside from the iconic surf scenes along Sydney's southern beaches, the film introduces audiences to the distinct surfie lingo, and takes on a more critical aspect when, for the girls, the 'glassy walls' become a kind of 'glass ceiling'.
There's some classic dialogue throughout and even more classic performances, but ultimately it's the truth of the world around the characters that has allowed the film to maintain its strength and power.
For anyone that has spent a lot of time at the beach you can't help but chuckle at the references to Chiko Rolls and towel-minding, but for these two girls, their small victories are major triumphs.
