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IMDbPro

Puberty Blues

  • 19811981
  • RR
  • 1h 27m
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
1.6K
YOUR RATING
Puberty Blues (1981)
The mating rituals of two teenage surf chicks from the southern suburbs of Sydney.
Play trailer2:28
1 Video
28 Photos
ComedyDrama
The mating rituals of two teenage surf chicks from the southern suburbs of Sydney.The mating rituals of two teenage surf chicks from the southern suburbs of Sydney.The mating rituals of two teenage surf chicks from the southern suburbs of Sydney.
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
1.6K
YOUR RATING
    • Bruce Beresford
    • Margaret Kelly(screenplay)
    • Kathy Lette(based on the novel by)
    • Gabrielle Carey(based on the novel by)
  • Stars
    • Nell Schofield
    • Jad Capelja
    • Jeffrey Rhoe
    • Bruce Beresford
    • Margaret Kelly(screenplay)
    • Kathy Lette(based on the novel by)
    • Gabrielle Carey(based on the novel by)
  • Stars
    • Nell Schofield
    • Jad Capelja
    • Jeffrey Rhoe
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 27User reviews
    • 10Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:28
    Watch Trailer

    Photos28

    1 sheet movie poster
    Puberty Blues (1981)
    Puberty Blues (1981)
    Puberty Blues (1981)
    Puberty Blues (1981)
    Jad Capelja and Nell Schofield in Puberty Blues (1981)
    Nerida Clark, Kirrily Nolan, and Nell Schofield in Puberty Blues (1981)
    Jad Capelja and Tony Hughes in Puberty Blues (1981)
    Puberty Blues (1981)
    Jad Capelja and Nell Schofield in Puberty Blues (1981)
    Jad Capelja and Nell Schofield in Puberty Blues (1981)
    Jad Capelja and Nell Schofield in Puberty Blues (1981)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Nell Schofield
    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
    Jay Hackett
    • Bruce
    Ned Lander
    • Strach
    Joanne Olsen
    • Vicki
    Julie Medana
    • Kim
    Michael Shearman
    • Glenn
    Dean Dunstone
    • Seagull
    Tina Robinson
    • Freda
    Nerida Clark
    • Carol
    Kirrily Nolan
    • Mrs. Vickers
    Alan Cassell
    • Mr. Vickers
    Rowena Wallace
    Rowena Wallace
    • Mrs. Knight
    Charles 'Bud' Tingwell
    Charles 'Bud' Tingwell
    • The Headmaster
      • Bruce Beresford
      • Margaret Kelly(screenplay)
      • Kathy Lette(based on the novel by)
      • Gabrielle Carey(based on the novel by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Australian singer and actress Kylie Minogue has said of the film's source 'Puberty Blues' novel: "I don't recall reading 'Puberty Blues' so much as devouring it. I was about thirteen, alone in my bedroom with the door firmly shut. I was fascinated".
    • Goofs
      Debbie's hair changes length throughout the film.
    • Quotes

      Debbie Vickers: It stinks.

      Sue Knight: What?

      Debbie Vickers: Everything.

    • Connections
      Edited into Terror Nullius (2018)
    • Soundtracks
      Puberty Blues
      Performed by Jenny Morris

      Written by Tim Finn

    User reviews27

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    6/10
    Slightly distorted title...
    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'.
    helpful•5
    3
    • tim-764-291856
    • Jun 11, 2012

    Details

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    • Release date
      • December 10, 1981 (Australia)
      • Australia
      • Umbrella Entertainment (Australia)
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Sutherland, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
    • Production company
      • Limelight Productions (II)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 27 minutes
      • Mono

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