Director Catherine Argyrople draws inspiration from her own life in her debut feature, the teenage coming-of-age drama Growing Pains. Imagine combining the most vulnerable moments of Bo Burnham’s Eighth Grade and Hulu’s Pen15 series, and you’ll find that Argyrople’s sensitive film fits in squarely with these relatable titles. Growing Pains acknowledges the struggles of young girls growing up in today’s social media-obsessed digital age, and offers an empathetic look at how friendships change as we grow older. The film was awarded the ReFrame Stamp by The Sundance Institute and Women in Film for gender-balanced hiring.

Best Friends Forever

Taking place on the cusp of their freshman year of high school, Zoe (Molly Morneweck) and Nat (Deanna Tarraza) eagerly anticipate what the new school year will bring. The girls are best friends and have been since childhood. Entering into this new chapter together lessens the anxiety and stress for both of them. To celebrate the end of the summer, their former classmates throw a pool party, which both girls are invited to. Unfortunately, Nat becomes obligated to work at her family’s sandwich shop, so Zoe braves going to the party alone. Once there though, Zoe wishes she never RSVP’d “Yes”. Standing in her bathing suit, her classmates begin to mock her scar, a result of her childhood cancer. Zoe also begins to feel self-conscious about her weight, which falls within a healthy range for an adolescent girl going through puberty.

This critical, self-actualizing moment is what sets the girls down different paths. They begin to prioritize different things. Zoe begins to obsess about joining the school’s crew team, stirring up body image issues in the process. Nat consistently finds herself stuck working, missing out on experiences that every other teenager seems to be enjoying. The girls spend less time together and inevitably start to grow apart. Once best friends, they now feel more like strangers. The coming-of-age moments they thought they would share are being experienced separately. Soon enough, they realize that navigating through life’s confusing transition from middle school to high school isn’t the same without a best friend. At this realization, they are determined to do whatever they can to rekindle the friendship.

Written, Directed, Produced, and Filmed by Women

Growing Pains covers a lot of authentic issues that teenage girls have faced for decades. Topics like calorie counting and diet culture, questioning sexual identity, and inconsiderate sexual advances from boys are all portrayed. These issues are all addressed with compassion, due in large part to the relatability between the subject matter and the director. Filmmaker Catherine Argyrople puts women at the forefront of her film, which acts as a personal love letter to female friendship. The spotlight on diversity that this indie drama sheds, from the women on screen to the women behind the camera, is inspiring.

Takeaway

The film can feel a bit too “After School Special” but its message is undoubtedly a positive one. Growing Pains is a tender look at one of life’s most vulnerable moments. It also serves as a reminder that, with solid friendships, we can get through anything.