Okay, let’s talk about high school reunions. Not the awkward small-talk and forced smiles you might remember (or actively avoid!), but how filmmakers have used them as fertile ground for exploring something much deeper than just reminiscing about old times. It's a surprisingly rich cinematic theme!
Think about it: a reunion isn’t just about seeing what happened to Brenda who was “so popular.” It’s about confronting the past, measuring your present against those youthful dreams, and facing the uncomfortable truth of how much – or how little – has changed. It's a pressure cooker of nostalgia, regret, and maybe even a little bit of hope.
You see this beautifully in Grosse Pointe Blank. The premise - a hitman returning to his high school reunion – is inherently absurd, right? But it’s that absurdity that allows the film to dig into genuinely profound questions about identity and redemption. Martin Blank isn't just dodging old classmates; he's dodging himself, confronting the choices that led him down a violent path. It’s darkly funny, yes, but also surprisingly poignant. It uses the reunion setting to amplify his internal conflict – the contrast between the seemingly normal world of high school and the brutal reality of his profession is just brilliant.
Then you have something like Falling in Love Again, which takes a more sentimental approach. The cross-country road trip back to their Bronx roots isn’t just about seeing old faces; it's about revisiting the foundation of their love, testing whether that initial spark can be rekindled after years of life’s challenges. It taps into that universal desire for second chances and the bittersweet realization that time marches on, regardless. It reminds me a little bit of my own parents – they went to their 20-year reunion and it was… interesting. A lot of reminiscing, but also a quiet acknowledgement of paths diverged.
Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, on the other hand, leans into pure comedic chaos. The elaborate charade these two friends concoct is hilarious precisely because it highlights the insecurities that often drive us to create false narratives about ourselves. It's a reminder that sometimes, we just want to be seen – even if it means bending the truth a little (or a lot!).
Beyond the comedy and drama, there’s something universally relatable in these films. We all have those moments where we wonder "what if?" or compare our current selves to the people we thought we'd become. A high school reunion provides that perfect backdrop for examining those questions. Even Ocean Waves, with its more introspective tone, uses the reunion as a catalyst for revisiting lost connections and grappling with regret.
So, next time you’re looking for something to watch, consider a film centered around a high school reunion. You might be surprised by how much it resonates – and maybe even inspires you to send a friendly email to an old classmate (just… maybe skip the Jaguar).
