Kicking and Screaming
dir. Noah Baumbach · 1995
Being alive involves grappling with the fear of change and the struggle to find direction in a world that often feels overwhelming.
Plot
After college graduation, Grover's girlfriend Jane tells him she's moving to Prague to study writing. Grover declines to accompany her, deciding instead to move in with several friends, all of whom can't quite work up the inertia to escape their university's pull. Nobody wants to make any big decisions that would radically alter his life, yet none of them wants to end up like Chet, the professional student who tends bar and is in his tenth year of university studies.
Why watch
"Kicking and Screaming" captures the delicate balance between youthful ambition and the haunting fear of adulthood, showcasing a group of friends grappling with the inertia of their post-college lives. Its sharp dialogue and bittersweet humor make it a relatable exploration of the coming-of-age experience in a society that often feels overwhelming.
Talking points
- the struggle of post-college identity
- the significance of friendships in transitional phases
- the fear of societal expectations
- the humor in existential dilemmas