My Tutor (1983)

My Tutor is a sun-bleached slice of early-’80s coming-of-age that’s less interested in tidy morality than in the messy, funny, sometimes sincere confusion of wanting adulthood before you’re ready for it. George Bowers keeps the vibe breezy and a little naughty, letting the comedy come from awkward bravado, rich-kid pressure, and the way “summer school” turns into an education in confidence as much as conjugation. Caren Kaye brings a surprising warmth and self-possession that gives the movie more texture than you might expect, while Matt Lattanzi sells the nervous charm of a kid trying to become a person overnight. Fair warning: it’s explicitly sexual and built around a premise many viewers will find uncomfortable today—but if you can accept it as a time-capsule sex-comedy with occasional real feeling, it’s an easy, curious watch with more humor and momentum than its reputation suggests.

My Tutor is trying to be a breezy coming-of-age sex comedy with a dash of romance and class tension, built around a “summer lessons” setup that’s really an excuse for wish-fulfillment. The problem is it plays less like a smart teen dramedy and more like an exploitative fantasy, with thin characterization, awkward humor, and emotional beats that don’t earn their weight. If you’re hoping for something witty, heartfelt, or even remotely modern in its attitudes about age and consent, this will likely feel sleazy and dated fast. The main redeeming qualities are a few light, sun-drenched 80s vibes and a straightforward, easy-to-follow plot, but you’re not getting much beyond that.