Films About Juvenile Justice
Juvenile justice films often explore the complex and often challenging realities faced by young people within the legal system. These films delve into issues such as crime, rehabilitation, societal pressures, and the struggle for redemption, often highlighting the broader implications of a system designed to guide rather than punish. Through their narratives, these films aim to shed light on the experiences of youth in detention, the efficacy of rehabilitation programs, and the societal factors that contribute to juvenile delinquency.
Here are some notable films that tackle the theme of juvenile justice:
“The Breakfast Club”, 1985
Director: John Hughes
A classic coming-of-age film that follows five high school students from different cliques who spend a Saturday detention together. As they share their stories and struggles, they confront their assumptions about each other and learn valuable lessons about themselves and the pressures of adolescence.
Starring: Emilio Estevez, Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, Anthony Michael Hall, Ally Sheedy, Paul Gleason, John Kapelos, Perry Crawford, Mary Christian, Ron Dean, Tim Gamble, Fran Gargano, Mercedes Hall, Jonathan Chapin;
Production year: 1985;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 97 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “The Breakfast Club” on the website imdb.com
“Juvenile”, 2007
Director: China Moo-Young
This documentary offers an intimate look inside a juvenile detention center, focusing on the lives of young inmates. It explores their backgrounds, the circumstances that led them to crime, and the challenges they face upon re-entering society.
Starring: Louis Cordice, Louis Sheridan Cordice, Glenn Doherty, Sophie Shaw-Foucher;
Production year: 2007;
Genre: short film, drama;
Duration: 11 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “Juvenile” on the website imdb.com
“The Hate U Give”, 2018
Director: George Tillman Jr.
Based on the novel by Angie Thomas, this film follows Starr Carter, a teenager who witnesses the police shooting of her best friend. The film addresses systemic racism, police violence, and the impact of these issues on young people, as Starr navigates her dual identity in a divided community.
Starring: Amandla Stenberg, Regina Hall, Russell Hornsby, Anthony Mackie, Issa Rae, Common, Algee Smith, Sabrina Carpenter, K.J. Apa, Dominique Fishback, Lamar Johnson, TJ Wright, Megan Lawless, Rhonda Johnson Dents, Tony Vaughn, Marcia Wright, Al Mitchell, Karan Kendrick, Javon Johnson, Mike Stoudt, Tye Claybrook Jr., Andrene Ward-Hammond, Drew Starkey, Monique Grant, Kurt Yue, Marc Fajardo, DJames Jones, Abby Glover, William J. Harrison, Susan Santiago, Brittany Inge, Chantel Bryant, Brian Lafontaine, Parker Sack, Kaleigh Rivera, Chris Cavalier, Ansley Davis, Gino La Mont, Joe Hardy Jr., Jeff Cole, Nick J. McNeil, Josh Henry, Brett Gentile, Kelvin Witherspoon, Iyana Halley, Dustin Lewis, Tanya Christiansen, Myles Evans, Shay Mack, James Healy Jr.;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: drama, crime;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 133 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “The Hate U Give” on the website imdb.com
“Boys Don't Cry”, 1999
Director: Kimberly Peirce
While primarily a biographical drama about Brandon Teena, a transgender man, it also touches on themes of societal rejection and the harsh realities faced by marginalized youth. The film highlights the consequences of violence and prejudice in the lives of young people.
Starring: Hilary Swank, Chloë Sevigny, Peter Sarsgaard, Brendan Sexton III, Alicia Goranson, Alison Folland, Jeanetta Arnette, Rob Campbell, Matt McGrath, Cheyenne Rushing, Robert Prentiss, Josh Ridgway, Craig Erickson, Stephanie Sechrist, Jerry Haynes, Lou Perryman, Lisa Renee Wilson, Jackson Kane, Joseph Gibson, Michael Tripp, Shana McClendon, Libby Villari, Paige Carl Griggs, Gail Cronauer, Guilford Adams, Chad Briley, Ryan Thomas Brockington, Christophe Dahlkvist, Taylor Eaves, Michelle Fairbanks, Sheila Gordon, Gabriel Horn, Spencer Kayden, Renee McClellan, Gavin Perry, Robert A. Steffenino, Caitlin Wehrle;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: drama, melodrama, crime, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 114 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Boys Don't Cry” on the website imdb.com
“Dead Poets Society”, 1989
Director: Peter Weir
This film follows an English teacher at a conservative all-boys preparatory school who inspires his students to embrace their passions and seize the day. While not exclusively about juvenile justice, it portrays the pressures faced by young men in a rigid educational system and the consequences of rebellion.
Starring: Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke, Josh Charles, Gale Hansen, Dylan Kussman, Allelon Ruggiero, James Waterston, Norman Lloyd, Kurtwood Smith, Carla Belver, Leon Pownall, George Martin, Joe Aufiery, Matt Carey, Kevin Cooney, Jane Moore, Lara Flynn Boyle, Colin Irving, Alexandra Powers, Melora Walters, Welker White, Steve Mathios, Alan Pottinger, Pamela Burrell, Allison Hedges, Christine D'Ercole, John Cunningham, Debra Mooney, John Martin Bradley, Charles Lord, Kurt Leitner, Richard Stites, James J. Christy, Catherine Soles, Hoover Sutton, James Donnell Quinn, Simon Mein, Ashton W. Richards, Robert Gleason, Bill Rowe, Robert J. Zigler III, Keith Snyder, Nicholas K. Gilhool, Jonas Stiklorius, Craig Johnson, Chris Hull, Jason Woody, Sam Stegeman, Andrew Hill;
Production year: 1989;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 128 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
More information about the film “Dead Poets Society” on the website imdb.com
“The Shawshank Redemption”, 1994
Director: Frank Darabont
Although primarily centered on adult incarceration, this film includes themes relevant to juvenile justice, including the impact of imprisonment on hope and rehabilitation. It examines the human spirit and the possibility of redemption through the story of Andy Dufresne, who befriends fellow inmate Red.
Starring: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler, Clancy Brown, Gil Bellows, Mark Rolston, James Whitmore, Jeffrey DeMunn, Larry Brandenburg, Neil Giuntoli, Brian Libby, David Proval, Joseph Ragno, Jude Ciccolella, Paul McCrane, Renee Blaine, Scott Mann, John Horton, Gordon Greene, Alfonso Freeman, Vincent Foster, John E. Summers, Frank Medrano, Mack Miles, Alan R. Kessler, Morgan Lund, Cornell Wallace, Gary Lee Davis, Neil Summers, Ned Bellamy, Joe Pecoraro, Harold E. Cope Jr., Brian Delate, Don McManus, Donald Zinn, Dorothy Silver, Robert Haley, Dana Snyder, John D. Craig, Ken Magee, Eugene C. DePasquale, Bill Bolender, Ron Newell, John R. Woodward, Chuck Brauchler, Dion Anderson, Claire Slemmer, James Kisicki, Rohn Thomas;
Production year: 1994;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 142 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 9,3;
More information about the film “The Shawshank Redemption” on the website imdb.com
“American History X”, 1998
Director: Tony Kaye
This powerful film explores the life of a former neo-Nazi skinhead who tries to prevent his younger brother from going down the same wrong path that he did. The film delves into themes of hate, redemption, and the influence of environment on youth behavior.
Starring: Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Beverly D'Angelo, Jennifer Lien, Ethan Suplee, Fairuza Balk, Avery Brooks, Elliott Gould, Stacy Keach, William Russ, Guy Torry, Joe Cortese, Jason Bose Smith, Antonio David Lyons, Alex Sol, Keram Malicki-Sánchez, Giuseppe Andrews, Michelle Christine White, Jonathan Fowler Jr., Christopher Masterson, Nicholas R. Oleson, Jordan Marder, Paul Le Mat, Thomas L. Bellissimo, Cherish Lee, Sam Vlahos, Tara Blanchard, Anne Lambton, Steve Wolford, Richard Noyce, Danso Gordon, Jim Norton, David Basulto, Alexis Rose Coen, Kiante Elam, Paul Hopkins, Keith Odett, Paul E. Short, Nigel Miguel, Darrell Britt, Robert «Duckie» Carpenter, Sydney «Big Dawg» Colston, Hans Cozzens, John Embry, Maximillian Kesmodel, Barbie Marie, Andre McCoy, Allie Moss, Denney Pierce, Glendon Rich;
Production year: 1998;
Genre: drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 119 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,5;
More information about the film “American History X” on the website imdb.com
These films collectively provide diverse perspectives on juvenile justice, exploring the intricate dynamics of youth, crime, and the potential for change.
The selection of films about juvenile justice offers a compelling exploration of the complexities surrounding young individuals entangled in the legal system. From gripping narratives that delve into the harsh realities of incarceration to thought-provoking portrayals of rehabilitation and redemption, these films shed light on the challenges and struggles faced by young people in the justice system. Through powerful storytelling and poignant character development, these movies not only entertain but also provoke meaningful conversations about the impact of the justice system on the lives of juveniles. The selection serves as a reminder of the importance of empathy, understanding, and reform in addressing the needs of young individuals within the legal framework.
