Public Relations Manager
We all have things in our lives that we look forward to daily: things to keep on living for. If you could not tell by my TikTok reposts and incessant Letterboxd ranting, my personal indulgence is movies. Now that my four year tenure at El Gato is coming to an end in June, I thought I’d recommend a few of my favorite films – the ones that helped me get through these decisively unforgettable years.
Lady Bird (2017): A messy ode to mothers and daughters, hometowns, and the complex, bittersweet pain of maturing. I saw myself in every argument, every silent car journey, and every desire for something “more.” This movie may work best for juniors who dream of leaving their hometown but weirdly love it.
The Florida Project (2017): Vibrant hues, sorrowful heart. From a child’s perspective, it demonstrates how happiness can be found on the periphery. It’s a poignant reminder that while innocence carries us, it can’t always protect us.
The Social Network (2010): Students might find themselves in this piercing, slightly terrifying mirror of a movie. If you’re feeling competitive or overwhelmed by college applications, this movie will remind you that an Ivy League degree won’t fix all your problems.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012): Best fitting for freshman and sophomores (or, anyone who’s ever felt on the outside looking in). This movie is especially cathartic if you’re navigating the ultimate obstacle of adolescence: identity.
The Edge of Seventeen (2016): This humorous and brutally honest look at the complexities of teenage identity, family, and friendships skillfully encapsulates the struggles of socializing in highschool. The main character, Nadine, acts as the patroness of “it’s not that deep” (but, it is).
Dead Poets Society (1989): When school begins to feel like a box, watch this. It’ll make you want to stand on a desk and seize the day – existential crisis optional.
The Breakfast Club (1985): Perfect for all students and the blueprint for all subsequent high school films. One Saturday detention, five strangers, and a lesson that we are all much more than what other people perceive us to be.
Ghost World (2001): Dry, weird, and existential in all the best ways. An ideal film for the “I don’t fit in here” crowd, especially when you’re watching the world change faster than you are.
Regardless of whether you’re a senior acting like you have it all figured out, a freshman trying to figure it all out, or anywhere in between, I hope you discover a story on this list that makes you feel seen. Because if I’ve learned anything from high school — and movies — it’s that you’re never as alone as you believe you are. There’s always a middle-aged director out there who understands how your young mind works. Here’s to the heartbreaking soundtracks, the characters we aspired to be, the unresolved endings, and the moments that gave us hope that we were understood, even if only for two hours.
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