Let's be real: this is a 43-year-old Disney drama about teenage abandonment that even dedicated film buffs would struggle to recommend in 2025.
The bones are solid—S.E. Hinton knows how to write authentic teen struggle, and the sibling relationship at the heart of the story has emotional weight. But 1980s pacing, production values, and storytelling conventions make this feel like homework, not entertainment. Modern kids are used to tight editing, diverse casts, and visual storytelling that doesn't rely on long dialogue scenes shot in static medium shots.
The subject matter is genuinely heavy (dead mom, absent dad, teens barely surviving), which could be enriching for the right mature teen in the right context—like if they're reading the book for English class. But as a standalone movie recommendation? There are dozens of better coming-of-age films that tackle similar themes with more energy and relevance.
The lack of content rating data is also a red flag. You're going in blind on whether there's language, violence, or other mature content that might surprise you.
Bottom line: Unless your teen is specifically studying S.E. Hinton or 1980s cinema, skip this one. There are too many better options that won't feel like watching a time capsule.





