Watch 1981

Released in 2009, the film 1981 is the personal journey of director Ricardo Trogi's prepubescent years after moving from Italy to Canada. This coming-of-age drama has moments of comedic relief, but it is ultimately a tale of the struggles of a young boy in the 1980s. Ricardo's parents have decided to move during his middle school years, causing his desperate need to fit in with his new peers. A World War Two veteran, his father relocates his family with the hopes of finding a job in their new community. Ricardo, overweight and awkward, now must assimilate to his new Canadian life. Immediately, it's clear that Ricardo comes from humble beginnings compared to his class mates.

In order to gain acceptance in a group of boys, Ricardo claims to have access to Playboy magazine. Spending his free time figuring out his place on the social pecking order, Ricardo immediately feels out of place with his wealthier class mates. Ricardo clings to his Consumers Distributing magazine and religiously reminds himself of all the things he'll one day purchase.

Ricardo also addresses the universal preteen moments of first love. Enraptured by the smartest girl in the class, Ricardo devises a plan to steal her marble from show and tell and return it, thus becoming her hero. Like all fantasies from young boys, reality comes crashing down on Ricardo.

His relationship with his family is also followed, especially his jealously over the belief his sister is given more expensive things. With his father's inability to find employment, Ricardo finally expresses embarrassment over not having the material things he believes he deserves. Finally Ricardo recognizes that with honesty and compassion, he's able to obtain the things he wants.

1981 has been released internationally and was an official film selection of several film festivals.

1981 is a 2009 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.