My Golden Days (Trois souvenirs de ma jeunesse)

Oops, just missed it! This film is no longer available on Netflix streaming or DVD. It could have been the classic coming-of-age story Hollywood makes every year, but Arnaud Despeschin, in the style of François Truffaut and the New Wave, has an amazing talent of capturing the tourment of teenagers in the late 80’s.

The story centers on Paul Dédalus, who while being interrogated by the police, has a series of flashbacks that include his childhood in Roubaix, his mother's attacks of madness, his father's alienating depression and his friendships. But the memory of his youth mostly resolves around Esther, the beautiful, broken love of his life.

Thanks to an impeccable cast and intelligent dialogue, the film avoids every cliché you can expect from a teen romance. But what really sets this film aside is the sensitivity, the honesty of Arnaud Desplechin's directorial effort that makes the movie personal, almost autobiographical, although it is impossible to say if it really is. 

My Golden Days is a masterpiece on nostalgia, and will remind you of the glory and sad experience of your own teen years.

Watch it if you liked: The Dreamers, Jules & Jim, Blue is the Warmest Color, The Spectacular Now

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