Foxes (1980)

A young teenager (Jodie Foster) lives in the San Fernando Valley with her divorced mother (Sally Kellerman). She's going through the usual teenage angst as are her three best friends (Cherie Currie, Marilyn Kagan, Kandice Stroh). But sex, drugs and abuse will force them to grow up fast before it kills them. Directed by Adrian Lyne (FATAL ATTRACTION), the movie gets the vibe of late 1970s San Fernando valley down pat but its teen characters are overdrawn. They're the protagonists of the story so we should be empathetic toward their situation but they come across as spoiled, rude and narcissistic. I could only summon up empathy toward two of the characters: Cherie Currie's repressive home life is so screwed up, it's no wonder she's a mess and spirals downward and Sally Kellerman as Foster's mom, a divorced woman afraid of aging and being alone is very relatable. Then there's the creepy situation (which the film seems to sanction) of a 30ish man (Randy Quaid) sleeping with a 16 year old girl (Kagan)! As far as coming of age films I suppose it's better than most, it's certainly well acted. The score by Giorgio Moroder introduced the hit ON THE RADIO sung by Donna Summer. The film has a cult following of sorts but it seemed a lot fresher in 1980. With Laura Dern, Lois Smith, Adam Faith and Scott Baio.