Australian
Screen

an NFSA website

Puberty Blues (1981)

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clip You're dropped education content clip 2

Original classification rating: M. This clip chosen to be M

Clip description

After a brief period as Bruce’s girlfriend, Debbie (Nell Schofield) discovers she is ‘dropped’ – by a message delivered by Strach (Ned Lander) via Cheryl (Leander Brett). Debbie and Sue (Jad Capelja) get very drunk before going to a party. When Strach tries to take her bottle of tequila, she throws a glass of milk in his face. Garry (Geoff Rhoe) has to stop him hitting her.

Curator’s notes

Beresford keeps the film at a point just past reality, in order to make it funny, but not ridiculous. Debbie’s tears at being dropped by message don’t last long. She’s onto the next experience – getting obliterated on hard liquor with her best friend. The sense that emotions at this age are powerful, but often fleeting, is not laboured, but it adds to the film’s sense of authenticity.