Gregory's Girl

Very few films in recent history can claim to be as touching or truthful as Gregory's Girl (1980) in regards to adolescent struggles. While "honest" portrayal of teenage life has been upon the minds of modern film makers, very few get's as close as this over 30 year old film.  The story simply follows Gregory a boy turning into a man and his shy but tenacious pursuit of Dorothy, a soccer savant.

Besides story and acting, the film does an amazing job at world building that gives every secondary character a personality but most importantly a passion. From cooking, journalism, photography,  geography, and even window cleaning. It is only in this fantasy world where the individuals even in high school have such an ingrained passion that they can profit from it (baked goods being sold in a bathroom).Where Gregory appears out of it, his passion is  Dorothy, his preference for musical  drumming is shown in fleeting scenes but never expanded. This lack of passion, hobby, or future thought about a career  truly reveals him as an alienated and lost character.It is one of the few times a coming of age story builds a character with the individuals actions around him and succeeds to near perfection.

Although not all of this can be lent to the screenplay in terms of character development and execution. The acting is charming and endearing, melodramatic lows are never reached, the character Gregory (quite literally) stands above all that. John Gordon Sinclair doesn't portray him as a stereotypical shy kid, he does have these moments but he is a unique fully fleshed character willing to speak his mind.  This fit's considering in a world where it is suggested that he is neglected  by both his parents and classmates. So when he talks which comes around towards the end,  he starts conversing about philosophy and "numbers" on his first date. Actual tangible conversation that has weight behind it.

Another unique aspect is the films reliance on making the younger children the voice of reason and wisdom. Both the adults (represented by teachers), and teenagers are inflicted and tarred with the ideas of sex so much their opinions are muddled and unreliable. Thus the children become a voice of adorable but ultimately intelligent reason. This voice is mostly represented by Gregory's sister Madeliene who never feels like she is over reaching. Her delivery and character are both so naturalistic you would expect it to be a very short and young looking 40 year old.

The culmination  of this love plot and conquering the girls heart is another element and resolution which  is not foreseen. Rather then Gregory actually falling in love with Dorothy he has became enamoured with the idea. In this point its the truest we get in most coming of ages of a protagonist realizing what he wants. The individual is not interested in the girl but rather one who has shown "interest" and heavily involved within his world. It is not that he has fallen in love with her,  as it is someone is talking to him. So when he does not go on a date with Dorothy he does however go on a date with the "idea" and "understanding". He goes on a date with the projection of what he expected Dorothy to be while never having a full filling conversation with her.  When he winds up on a date with Susan it feels natural, the chemistry is there and not once do we feel cheated. Dorothy is too invested within building her soccer skills and she isn't ready for young love. For Dorothy and Gregory to go on the date we cheat the characters and the projection that Gregory has envisioned.

 In the end Gregory's Girl is a unique world filled to the brim with adorable performances, some truly funny lines of dialogue, with a surrealistic touch. At times its tough to watch, not only for Gregory's own alienation but how much we relate to him.  No matter your age, there seems to be an element within most people that can relate to Gregory. The portrayal of his character and seeming "love" for Dorothy is so honest you simply cannot invest a part of yourself  in it.