Big Time Adolescence (2020)

Big Time Adolescence feels special because it treats growing up like the messy, funny, slightly painful improvisation it really is, with jokes that land and emotions that sneak up on you. It’s a coming-of-age story with a fresh angle: the “cool” mentor figure isn’t a fantasy, he’s a real person with charm, flaws, and consequences, and the movie lets that chemistry crackle without turning anyone into a cartoon. The tone is warm and lived-in, balancing hangout-comedy energy with an earnest, clear-eyed look at how easy it is to mistake bad guidance for real friendship. If you like teen films that are more truthful than glossy—and don’t mind a little discomfort alongside the laughs—this one’s an easy recommendation.

Big Time Adolescence is aiming for a low-key coming-of-age dramedy about a kid outgrowing the “cool older friend” who’s quietly dragging him down, and it gets that basic dynamic right. The problem is it often feels like a familiar indie template—parties, bad influence, awkward lessons—without enough fresh insight or emotional punch to make it stick. If you’re sensitive to secondhand embarrassment, cringe comedy, or characters who make obviously dumb choices for long stretches, this may test your patience. Still, the performances (especially the charisma of the dropout friend) keep it watchable if you’re in the mood for something small, mellow, and not particularly original.