Puberty Blues (1981)

The mating rituals of two teenage surf chicks from the southern suburbs of Sydney.

Director:

Bruce Beresford

Writers:

Gabrielle Carey (novel), Margaret Kelly

Stars:

Nell Schofield, Jad Capelja, Jeffrey Rhoe

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nell Schofield	...	Debbie Vickers
Jad Capelja	...	Sue Knight
Jeffrey Rhoe	...	Garry (as Geoff Rhoe)
Tony Hughes	...	Danny
Sandy Paul	...	Tracy
Leander Brett	...	Cheryl
Jay Hackett	...	Bruce
Ned Lander	...	Strach
Joanne Olsen	...	Vicki
Julie Medana	...	Kim
Michael Shearman	...	Glenn
Dean Dunstone	...	Seagull
Tina Robinson Hansen	...	Freda (as Tina Robinson)
Nerida Clark	...	Carol
Kirrily Nolan	...	Mrs. Vickers

Storyline

Meet Sue, a teenage Australian girl in the late 70s, whose life mainly consists of doing what everyone else does - watch the surfing boys and have sex with the same surfing boys. The girls have to follow lots of strange customs, e.g. do not eat or go to the bathroom when a boy is around. Ugly girls have two choices - being bitches and hate boys, or being generally cheap and looked down upon by everyone. The afternoons are spent on the beaches, in the backseats of car or at home-alone-parties where sex and alcohol are the main ingredients. Parents and teachers are trying to straighten the kids out, but that is not easy.

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Plot Keywords:

watching tv | sex | surfing | teacher | card game | 

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Taglines:

The coolest things to do are the things they say we can't do.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 December 1981 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Al diablo con la virginidad

Filming Locations:

Sutherland, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,381, 17 July 1983, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$237,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Limelight Productions (II)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Over one hundred girls were seen and interviewed for the two lead female roles which in the end were cast with Jad Capelja and Nell Schofield.

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Goofs

Debbie's hair changes length throughout the film.

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Quotes

Debbie Vickers: [during attempted sex] It's hurting.
Bruce: Keep still.
Debbie Vickers: Ow! Oh. It's no use. It's too big.
Bruce: Shit.

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Connections

Featured in 20 to 1: Great Aussie Movies (2006)

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Soundtracks

Puberty Blues
Performed by Jenny Morris
Written by Tim Finn

User Reviews

Real teen drama only rises to the average

On the surface, this film can be seen for what it is, a stark realization of teen angst in Cronulla, at the start of the eighties. Inseparable friends, Debbie and Sue, want to travel with the cool gang, but first must endure the humiliation and sucking up to get there. Granted, these scenarios were very real in that very real time. PB is a very realistic movie, with lot a laughable moments, because they're relatable. It also has one tragic moment too. PB is very entertaining, I must says and deals with real teen issues. But to be honest, I couldn't stand the guys of this popular group, more a bunch of rude surfie pigs, which to be part of em', guy or girl, wouldn't be worth the trouble. After all, I have my pride. In fact, they got more annoying, as the movie went on. The message sent here, is "be you for you are, and don't conform to fit in with others, while letting your real values or talents suffer". When the two girls finally excel in their tries of surfing, it's a morning of victory, despite some of the negative reactions from those pigs. Great opening wide shot of Cronulla beach, crawling with beachgoers, plus I like Bruce's meeting with Debbie's olds. Almost priceless, as also the interior walls of his panel van, filled with lewd pictures. Also, watch how quick it takes for a whole cake to go off, when devoured by those thankless pigs. Very real performances that are in no way great, but convincing, the older veteran stars better. Much alike, FJ Holden you could say, that should of also spawned a t.v. show, but this movie is too basic, and simplistic, especially if viewing it, in today's times, with not the most original dialogue.