Two enduring movie characters from the 1980s embody the idea of being a cool teen. However, it is impossible to argue that either of their movies is about them because they both end in the same place they were at the start of their stories.
Marty McFly is a vest-wearing teenager who also happens to be friends with a mad scientist building a time machine. During testing of the time machine, Marty ends up in the past.
Marty rules the 1950’s in the same way he seems to thrive in the 1980s. His Mom even falls in love with him, and the story quickly centers around getting his parents back together. He also has to convince his scientist friend Doc Brown to take precautions against an untimely murder by terrorists.
However, at the end of the movie, Marty is the only character who remains the same. The villain is no longer a bully. Marty’s parents are suddenly happy, well-adjusted people. Even Doc Brown gives in to his curiosity and saves himself. Marty returns to an almost unrecognizable world; except he hasn’t changed.
These characters are often tropes in epic stories. They’re the people teaching us lessons. They’re wizards like Merlin or Dumbledore or magical nannies like Mary Poppins.
Hollywood is very good at making movies with these characters in the starring role.
Take Ferris Bueller, our other 80’s protagonist. Ferris’s schemes revolve around helping his friend Cameron because Ferris can get out of any situation. He doesn’t need growth. Cameron can barely get out of bed.
The movie’s pivot point is when Ferris assists in destroying Cameron’s father’s car. While this might finally break Cameron, he seems to turn a corner toward taking some control of his life.
As Ferris’ girlfriend alludes, “You knew what you were doing when you woke up this morning, didn’t you?” The wizard shrugs her off.
When we’re a part of someone else’s story, we don’t have to make it about us. While we might not have the self-assuredness of a Ferris or a Marty, we can step back and go along for the ride. It doesn’t have to be about us, and they’ll still put our name on the movie marquee.