Puberty Blues (2012)

Immersed in the throbbing pulse of the 1970s, Puberty Blues is an evocative Australian classic that masterfully paints a picture of a generation on the brink of radical change. As the middle baby boomers teeter on the edge of adolescence and early adulthood, the show delves into the heart of their tumultuous journey, set against the backdrop of the sexual revolution in full swing. This television adaptation, born from the feminist teen novel by Gabrielle Carey and Kathy Lette, encapsulates the lives of two 13-year-old girls from Sydney's Sutherland Shire. Hungering for popularity, they integrate themselves into the vibrant surf culture of the "Greenhill gang," marking the beginning of an unforgettable saga. The narrative, previously adapted into a film in 1981, retains the raw essence of the book while adding its unique cinematic flavor. Puberty Blues captures the wild spirit of an era where everything is endlessly possible. The show amplifies the wild mood of the anti-Vietnam youth rebellion, the arrival of drugs, and the surge of surf culture. It's an unruly portrait of Australian suburban life in flux, a time when money and loans were cheaper, divorce was simpler, and prosperity was the norm. As the wild kids explore the worlds of their parents, they navigate a societal context where conventional morality is shifting, and the promise of uncharted territories beckons. This series is more than just a chronicle of a special moment in history — it's a vibrant exploration of adolescence, a mirror reflecting the excitements and anxieties of growing up amid a cultural revolution. Puberty Blues invites viewers to ride the wave of change, experiencing the highs and lows of youthful rebellion, and discovering what it means to come of age in a time of endless possibility.

Puberty Blues is a drama show featuring Susie Porter.

Puberty Blues is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Freevee and Tubi TV.