1997•Journal of Popular Film and TelevisionRequires access
The Teen Film and its Methods of Study: A Book Review Essay
Timothy Shary
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Abstract
More often than not, narrative characteristics determine how films are categorized into genres. Yet the teen film poses an interesting challenge to formulaic genre studies, if only because this genre is defined not so much by its narrative characteristics (although there are considerable generic similarities among teen films) as it is by the population that the films are about and to whom they are directed. That the teen film is a genre is not disputed here, since other authors have already addressed its emergence and prominence.1 Rather, this review essay discusses how scholars can address teen films beyond their novelty or use as a mere genre, and the greater ramifications of teen films–as has been done with the film noir, western, thriller, comedy, and other genres.