20th Century Women
dir. Mike Mills · 2016
Plot
In 1979 Santa Barbara, California, Dorothea Fields is a determined single mother in her mid-50s who is raising her adolescent son, Jamie, at a moment brimming with cultural change and rebellion. Dorothea enlists the help of two younger women – Abbie, a free-spirited punk artist living as a boarder in the Fields' home and Julie, a savvy and provocative teenage neighbour – to help with Jamie's upbringing.
Why watch
"20th Century Women" is a poignant exploration of motherhood and identity set against the backdrop of 1970s California, where generational perspectives collide in a warm, nostalgic narrative. With its rich character development and contemplative tone, this film invites viewers to reflect on the complexities of growing up and the bonds that shape us.
Talking points
- the role of women in shaping identity
- the impact of cultural change on family dynamics
- the complexities of adolescence
- the nature of unconventional family structures