Puberty Blues (1981)

Jul 30, 2021

Directed by: Bruce Beresford

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: A slice-of-life comedy drama which captures the world of teenage girls Debbie (Nell Schofield) and Sue (Jad Capelja) as they grow up in a Sydney surfing community in the 1970’s.

Kitty Cameo: Debbie comes home and storms through the house, passing her sister Carol (Nerida Clark) who is holding the family’s black cat.

Puberty Blues - Carol Nerida Clark holding black cat
Puberty Blues - Carol Nerida Clark holding black cat

Later the cat is lying on Debbie’s bed when Debbie’s mother (Kirrily Nolan) comes in to check on her.

Puberty Blues - Debbie Nell Schofield lying on bed with black cat
Puberty Blues - Debbie Nell Schofield lying on bed with black cat as mother Kirrily Nolan enters

Debbie doesn’t tell her mother that she’s worried she might be pregnant.

Puberty Blues - Debbie Nell Schofield lying on bed with black cat and mother Kirrily Nolan

After her mother leaves, Debbie gets up from the bed and goes to the bathroom.

Puberty Blues - Debbie Nell Schofield sitting up on bed with black cat
Puberty Blues - Debbie Nell Schofield sitting up on bed with black cat

Debbie is in a much better mood when returning to the bed, having just had her period. The cat is still there when Debbie’s friend Sue arrives.

Puberty Blues - Debbie Nell Schofield sitting up on bed with black cat
Puberty Blues - Debbie Nell Schofield sitting up on bed with black cat and Sue Jad Capelja

Final Mewsings: Cats are there for us whether we are sad or happy.

Many thanks to Nicki and also to Mark Murton for letting us know about the cat in this film.

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