The Pom Pom Girls

The Pom Pom Girls, released in 1976, is a teen-centric film, flavored with a nostalgic journey into the heart of the 70's. The film, directed by Joseph Ruben, features familiar faces like Robert Carradine, Jennifer Ashley, and Michael Mullins in a high-spirited romp revolving around football, pom pom girls, and high-school characters brimming with adolescent zeal.

At the core of the film are protagonists Johnnie (Robert Carradine) and Jesse (Michael Mullins). Johnnie is seen as the somewhat reckless but seemingly beloved entertaining prankster, while Jesse is the quintessential jock, a football star at Roseville High School. Their infectious energy is at the forefront of the movie, providing the film's principal charm, humor, and romance. Despite their apparent differences, the duo share a vibrant and extraordinary bond typifying the deep-seated friendships of high-school life.

The Pom Pom Girls takes the audience through a series of episodic events involving Johnnie, Jesse and other characters, each unraveling a story of its own. These incidents act as a catalyst, propelling the characters further deep into the world of teenage dreams, love, and relentless adventure-seeking. These stories blend seamlessly into the main narrative thread, and play an essential role in building the characters and driving the plot.

The confluence of football and love is central to the film's narrative. The lives of the characters revolve around the impending football match, and with it comes the exploration of young love. The two Pom Pom Girls, Laurie (Jennifer Ashley) and Sally (Lisa Reeves), became the sources of heart-throbbing affection for the protagonists. An intertwining romance begins to blossom that adds spice to this high-spirited California youth saga's narrative journey.

The charm of the film lies in its authentic portrayal of high-school life during the mid-70's. Glowing with the exuberance of youth, it delves into an exploration of student relationships, love-triangles, and spirited high-school football, painted against the backdrop of beautiful Californian landscapes. The small-town feel, the sun-drenched vistas, and the bustling school backdrop offer an aesthetic visual treat in the film.

The Pom Pom Girls doesn't churn out a conventional plot with a clear climax and resolution. Instead, it nostalgically peeks into the era of hot rods, football games, playful pranks, teenage passions, and the cheerful innocence of high-school life. It sketches a portrait of adolescent life brimming with wild fun, youthful lust, and tender moments of love, making it a rather beloved movie for anyone who cherishes the memories of their youth.

The soundtrack, comprising of popular 70's music, significantly elevates the movie's aura. The stylistic elements used by director Joseph Ruben encapsulate the spirit of the time, immersing viewers in an on-screen experience that resonates the care-free days and the sweet turmoil of growing up. It vibrantly elicits the era's raw energy, sweeping viewers into reliving or experiencing the feel of the 70's adolescent culture.

The Pom Pom Girls is a kaleidoscopic journey that portrays high school life with a sprightly candidness, open-hearted humor, and a spirited sense of adolescent vitality. At heart, it is a playful testament to the delights, innocent chaos, and universal sentiments experienced during youth, a time which, for many, is irreplaceable.

Amidst the genre of teen flicks from the '70s, The Pom Pom Girls succeeded in crafting a unique identity for itself. With a cast that delivered their roles with a palpable fearlessness and spontaneity, and a storyline soaked in the exhilarating highs and lows of teen life, it rapidly solidified its status as a cult classic.

In a nutshell, The Pom Pom Girls, is not just a film about the trials and tribulations of high school life; it is an ode to the spirit of youth and the intricate feelings that accompany adolescence. In its world, love, heartbreak, rivalry and camaraderie coexist, painted with sepia-toned nostalgia, making it a must-watch for fans of the 70's cinema and the high-school genre.