Films To Cure The Graduate Gloom

Written by: Kiley Bleich

Thumbnail and Banner Photo by Emmanuel Offei on Unsplash 

The city exposes its gentler visage come the first of May. Suddenly streets become lined with for sale signs, the bustling nightlife on Gottingen and Argyle quiets down, and University campuses only echo the lively energy of September's past. For year-round city dwellers, the slow summer months when most students take their leave act as a soft exhale from the usual chaos. Between sun-warmed streets and the steady embrace of home for the summer, one group finds themselves suspended in a whirlwind of emotion: the soon-to-be graduates. Sitting in perpetual nausea until the final week of May, those preparing to begin internships, return to school, or grasp at the first job willing to take them are left searching for anything that might quell the endless churn of anticipation and anxiety. Oftentimes, reprieve comes in the form of knowing these emotions are not unique to you and are temporary in nature. One of the easiest ways to be reminded of this fact, and entertain yourself in the meantime, is through the art of film! Below is a list of movies, old and new, that I’ve compiled to cure the graduate gloom and offer some valuable insight into what could be expected in the coming years.

“Frances Ha” by Noah Baumbach (2012)

Frances Ha is a rather quirky film by Noah Baumbach that manages to overstimulate the viewer even while presenting in black and white. The 2012 comedy drama film follows a New York woman while she scrapes by in the big city and attempts to actualize her dreams, to varying levels of success. Frances, played by Greta Gerwig, inspires a feeling of whiplash as she continuously confronts roadblocks and changes her plans all in the effort to become a dancer. Between couch hopping, short-lived dorm stays, and spontaneous trips to Paris: Frances is the embodiment of post-grad chaos and uncertainty. While this film highlights the struggles one may face in these in-between ages, whether financially or emotionally, Gerwig’s performance also champions a sense of unbridled determination and hope. In the midst of this awkward dance from one phase of life to another, a sense of humour never wanes and reminds us to remain joyful in the face of change. 

“Almost Famous” by Cameron Crowe (2000)

Although this film has nothing to do with graduation, I stand by the fact that whether sixteen or thirty-two, Almost Famous by Cameron Crowe has something to offer everyone. Following a teenage-boy in the 1970s as he joins an up-and-coming rock band on tour while writing a piece for Rolling Stone magazine, Almost Famous paints a vibrant picture of the golden years of rock and roll. Alongside themes of betrayal, heartbreak, addiction, and fame lies a passionate thread of free-spiritedness and self-discovery. This essence is displayed most beautifully in a scene on a tour bus where the band, groupies, and writers alike belt the lyrics to “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John. After surviving various exams and feeling the pressure of impending graduation, I feel that this film offers a reminder to take it easy and enjoy the ride. While your next move is likely not touring across the world with long-haired drifters (despite its appeal), Almost Famous provides tidbits of wisdom amidst a tapestry of life's finest indulgences. 

“Reality Bites” by Ben Stiller (1994)

Somewhere between the potent nineties angst and messy love triangles of Reality Bites is a bittersweet dose of truth for any recent University graduate. In the 1994 film by Ben Stiller, a group of close friends navigate post-grad life in Houston searching for work, love, and themselves: a tall order for any twenty-something. The undisputed 90s darling, Winona Ryder, acts as the film's main character. Through phases of deep depression and euphoric highs, she navigates the various emotions intertwined with the graduate gloom. By the end of the film, things are looking up for each character, however this does not even remotely mean that they have it all figured out. In one of the most memorable lines from Ethan Hawke’s lovestruck character, he reminds viewers that by twenty-three, you really don’t need to be anything but yourself. 

“Garden State” by Zach Braff (2004) 

With an incredible soundtrack and peak 2000s fashion, Garden State by Zack Braff offers a light-hearted perspective on twenty-something confusion. Despite the fact that this film follows a very unfortunate early 2000s trope, the quirky young woman who inspires the depressed man to change his ways, it is still well worth the watch and Natalie Portman’s character maintains a solid sense of identity. The film features a young man returning to his hometown for his mother’s funeral, facing the loss of life, an absence of meaning, and relationships turned sour. Garden State tackles a variety of issues unrelated to graduation, though equally as important in any young person’s life. Specifically, the realistic and honest character writing is most intriguing. When met with old and new faces in his hometown, our protagonist finds them working as amateur musicians and gravediggers, floating through their early 20s in New Jersey suburbia. Through this, Garden State showcases the reality of life after graduation: beautiful, tragic, temporary, and entirely unserious. 

Whether graduation is on the top of your mind or just a passing thought, these four films can provide insight to anyone navigating young adulthood. The knowledge that you are not alone in experiencing the various challenges life has to offer is extremely comforting, and film is one of the greatest ways to receive this reassurance. A few movies which were excluded from this list but are equally as special include, Tiny Furniture by Lena Dunham, The Worst Person in the World by Joachim Trier, and Kicking and Screaming by Noah Baumbach. Wherever you find yourself in these next few uncertain months, make the time to watch these films and take a few grounding breaths.