Movie Review: ‘Growing Pains’ – Navigating a Complex Maze of Identity, Relationships, and Insecurities.

Adolescence is often romanticized as the most carefree and fun-filled years of our lives, but for many, it is also one of the most challenging periods. It’s a time when we discover ourselves, navigating a complex maze of identity, relationships, and insecurities.

Catherine Argyrople’s drama, ‘Growing Pains,’ taps into this bittersweet stage with a story that feels all too familiar for anyone who experienced the turbulence of growing up.

The film follows childhood best friends Zoe and Nat as they transition from middle to high school, a period that tests their friendship. On the surface, this seems like a narrative we’ve encountered many times before. However, Catherine Argyrople, along with co-writer Mariana Fabian, breathes fresh life into the story by drawing inspiration from the director’s personal experiences, adding a layer of authenticity and depth.

In the film, Zoe (played by Molly Morneweck), a middle schooler who has survived cancer, carries the physical and emotional scars of her journey. Her desire to reinvent herself leads her to join their school’s rowing team, but that triggers her insecurities the more. She starts to dislike her weight and her confidence in herself dwindles. She doesn’t get to talk to her best friend as often as she used to and her quest to fit in with her teammates fuels her negative self-image even more leading her to get involved in a questionable relationship with a boy who is not good for her.

Meanwhile, Nat (played by Deanna Tarraza) faces her challenges. With her grandmother’s illness taking up much of her family’s attention, she finds herself working extra hours at her parents’ sandwich shop. These additional responsibilities take her attention away from her friend Zoe and the challenges she might be dealing with. Nat starts to get closer to Lexie (played by Maia Isabel Frias), a new employee and begins to explore feelings that she realizes go beyond friendship.

The two friends, once inseparable, start to drift apart. Zoe’s struggle with self-image and Nat’s budding realization about her sexuality create emotional rifts that feel both inevitable and heartbreaking. But as they stumble through life’s confusing transitions, the film gently reminds us that navigating adolescence is far lonelier without a best friend by your side.

The performances in ‘Growing Pains‘ are a mixed bag. While the acting isn’t the most polished, the imperfections add to the naivety and innocence of the young cast. Some of the dialogue feels stilted, making it appear as though the actors are grappling with their lines. Regardless of this, Deanna Tarraza stands out in her role as Nat.  For me, she delivers a nuanced performance that captures her character’s emotional depth and complexity. Her portrayal somewhat anchors the film even though you would think the film centres more on the character Zoe.

One notable drawback is the pacing. Certain scenes feel unnecessarily prolonged, making the 96-minute runtime seem stretched. However, this is balanced by the film’s aesthetic appeal. Although the film does look and feel like a teen TV movie at times, the overall cinematic quality tilts it towards something that you can enjoy watching as a group at the cinema.

What truly elevates ‘Growing Pains‘ is its thematic strengths. Through its characters, the film explores identity, sexuality, and the lingering effects of surviving cancer, all with an unflinching honesty. It sheds light on the struggles of teen girls, a demographic whose hardships are often trivialized by society no matter where. These themes lend the film a sense of purpose and make it a valuable addition to the coming-of-age genre.

For a writing and directorial debut, Catherine Argyrople certainly picked the right story to tell. She demonstrates a keen understanding of her chosen subject matter and how to get her message across.

While there is room for improvement in pacing and dialogue, her decision to tackle such a personal and layered story is commendable. For its honest exploration of adolescence and the strength of its themes, I will score this film 6.5/10

‘Growing Pains‘ doesn’t just tell a story, it starts a conversation about the quiet battles teens face while growing into themselves.