Watch Growing Up

Growing Up is a Taiwanese coming-of-age drama that was released in 1983. The movie revolves around the lives of a group of teenagers who are attending the same high school in Taiwan during the early 1980s. The movie explores various themes such as the adolescence, family dynamics, and the socio-political environment of Taiwan at that time.

The movie's protagonist is a young girl named Ming Ming, played by Chun-Fang Chang. Ming Ming is a rebellious teenager who is struggling to find her place in the world. She comes from a wealthy family, but her parents are divorced, and she has a strained relationship with her mother. Ming Ming is also dealing with the typical issues that adolescents face, such as peer pressure and conflicting emotions about the opposite sex.

Fu-Sheng Tsui plays the male lead, Xiao Bo. He is a talented painter who is passionate about his art but is struggling to make a living. Xiao Bo is also dealing with family problems; his mother is sick, and he is the sole provider for his family. Despite these challenges, Xiao Bo is optimistic and is determined to pursue his dreams.

Doze Niu plays Ah Feng, Ming Ming's closest friend. Ah Feng is a goofy and carefree character who is always up for a good time. He is the class clown, but beneath the surface, he is a kind and loyal friend who is always there for Ming Ming.

The movie follows these three characters as they navigate through their teenage years. We see them dealing with various issues such as romance, friendship, and family problems. The filmmakers do an excellent job of capturing the essence of adolescent life, and the audience can relate to the characters' struggles.

Growing Up is also a snapshot of Taiwan's social and political environment during the early 1980s. The movie takes place during a time of economic growth and political turmoil. The filmmakers integrate real-life events such as protests and political rallies into the movie, which gives it a sense of authenticity.

The movie's soundtrack is also worth mentioning. The filmmakers use a mix of classic Taiwanese and Western pop songs to give the movie a nostalgic feel. The music adds to the movie's overall ambiance and helps the audience connect with the characters.

One of the movie's strengths is its attention to detail. The filmmakers do an excellent job of recreating the atmosphere of Taiwan during the early 1980s. The movie's setting, costumes, and props are all authentic to the period, which makes the movie feel realistic.

Another strength of the movie is its cast. The three main actors deliver outstanding performances that capture the nuances of their characters. Chun-Fang Chang's portrayal of Ming Ming is particularly noteworthy. She does an excellent job of portraying the conflicting emotions that adolescents face, and her performance is both subtle and nuanced.

In conclusion, Growing Up is a poignant coming-of-age movie that explores the complexities of adolescence. The movie's themes of family, friendship, and teenage angst are relatable, and the film's attention to detail and authenticity makes it an excellent snapshot of Taiwan's socio-political environment during the early 1980s. The movie's outstanding performances and memorable soundtrack make it a must-watch for anyone who enjoys the coming-of-age genre.