Lately, Netflix has added more and more “coming of age” films for the modern day, and surprisingly they are quite good.  Each generation needs their own teenage films that relate to what they are going through and are a larger commentary on society in general. The 80’s are especially well known for this genre with such great films as “The Breakfast Club”, “Pretty in Pink”, and “Better off Dead”. Each generation since then has tried to recreate this phenomenon, and although it hasn’t alway been successful, even the 90’s and the 2000’s attempted with comedies like “Clueless” and “Mean Girls”.

In today’s society, streaming has become much more of a go-to for these kind of films as less and less people go to the movie theaters for anything more than huge blockbusters.  And Netflix has quickly rushed to fill this void by creating its own series of new teenage heartthrobs and “dramadies” (drama/comedies). These clever films show that living as a teenager in today’s society of social media, supposed “inclusion” and politically correctness still harbors all of the same teenage angst and problems as did many generations before.

In “Tall Girl” we have the story of a young girl who is a junior in High School and also 6’1″.  And although she is beautiful, talented and smart, most people don’t see her as anything but freakishly tall.  And let’s be real, most high school kids are mean.  Bullies still exist. And as much as we claim to include outsiders, there will always be that cliche group of popular kids that strive to exclude and make fun of others.  Jodi, is an exceptionally smart young man who is also very talented at piano.  She has always stood out, pun intended, and longs to be able to find a guy who is tall enough for her to date.  Insert a gorgeous new foreign exchange student, who also happens to be bright and loves musicals!  Of course he becomes the target of the most popular girl in school and despite chemistry between him and Jodi he goes with popularity.  A love triangle ensues however when Jodi’s best friend (who has always had a crush on her but is too short), realizes that there are sparks between Jodi and his exchange student. I won’t ruin the rest of the plot with too many spoilers, but there is definitely an ending very similar to “Pretty in Pink”, and I will tell you there is a twist where the unlikely guy gets the girl!