Why American Teen Movies Fail to Present Realism

Movies are made to make money, and money is best made when giving people what they want. Or telling them what they want to hear. This principle holds particularly true in the realm of American teen movies, which are crafted to appeal to a younger audience that often has limited exposure to life's complexities and struggles.

Movies as a Medium of Entertainment

Because movies are inherently meant as entertainment, they often fall short of presenting a realistic portrayal of teenage life. The average teenager’s daily routine can be quite mundane—playing video games, surfing the internet, going to school, doing homework, texting with friends, and going to the mall. To most people, this sort of portrayal in a movie would prove rather dull. Would you pay to go see a movie about such a boring and routine lifestyle?

The Need for Action and Excitement

Movies have to have a certain amount of action and excitement to keep the audience engaged. If the plot does not provide sufficient action, viewers will quickly become bored and lose interest. Hollywood, in its quest to captivate audiences, often embellishes and exaggerates real-life scenarios to create a more compelling narrative. For instance, the mundane tasks of homework and school assignments are often intensified or transformed into high-stakes situations to enhance the entertainment value.

The Disconnect Between Reality and Entertainment

Teenagers live relatively realistic teen lives, by definition. However, the same reasoning that applies to realistic movies about police work (full of paperwork and mundane scenes) is applicable here. Why would teenagers want to see such a mundane portrayal on screen? Similarly, movies about police work are generally incredibly unentertaining if they focus solely on the routine aspects of police duties. We want to see people better looking and funnier than us in scenarios that are different from our own.

The Reality of Teenage Life

Despite the desire for escapism through movies, teenagers still experience the same struggles and realities of life. However, these are often overshadowed by the need to present a more glamorous and exciting story on screen. The portrayal of romantic relationships, academic pressure, and social dynamics is frequently enhanced or exaggerated to fit the entertainment format.

The Role of Marketing and Expectations

Additionally, marketing plays a significant role in shaping our expectations. When a movie is marketed as a teen movie, audiences have certain preconceived notions about the content. The expectation is for thrilling adventures, dramatic plots, and exciting sequences. Realism in these contexts often fails to meet these expectations, leading to a disparity between the content and the audience’s desires.

The Need for Change

To improve the portrayal of teenage life in movies, there needs to be a balance between entertainment and realism. While keeping the entertainment factor intact, filmmakers can incorporate more authentic and relatable scenarios. This shift would help audiences connect with the characters on a deeper level, making the movies both enjoyable and meaningful.

Conclusion

While American teen movies fail to present a realistic view of teenage life, this is not solely the fault of the filmmakers. The focus on entertainment and marketing often leads to a disconnect between real life and movie portrayal. By striking a better balance and portraying more authentic and relatable scenarios, filmmakers can bring a more realistic and engaging depiction of teenage life to the screen.