My Year of Dicks

Set in 1991, Pam, a 15-year-old girl from the outskirts of Houston, embarks on a humorous yet revealing journey of self-discovery and romantic exploration. Despite her stubbornness and vivid imagination, she is determined to find the right boy to share her first intimate experience, believing that this will help her become the woman she has always envisioned herself to be.

Her first attempt involves David, an eccentric skater who claims he’s secretly a vampire. Pam, played by [Laura House], is smitten with him, finding his rebellious attitude appealing. She invites him over when her parents are away, but things quickly turn awkward. David unexpectedly brings a large group of people, including her ex, which makes Pam uncomfortable. They share a kiss, but Pam’s attempt to impress him by revealing she’s on her period backfires, as David leaves in disgust. Later, her ex admits that their encounter was part of a silly bet to see who could kiss the most girls, and Pam becomes upset when she realizes David never even sent an apology — especially since she learns his bet was only worth $2.58. In response, she throws a little more money at him, asserting her worth.

Next, Pam’s attention turns to Wally, a theater usher she just briefly met but develops feelings for after watching a film. She goes to the movies with her best friend, Sam, and Wally takes her to a janitorial closet with the hope of having sex. However, the encounter feels hurried and lacking genuine intimacy, leading Pam to feel uncomfortable and conflicted. When Wally impatiently urges them to finish before his break ends, she leaves, feeling embarrassed. Her friend Sam responds by playfully throwing their concessions on the floor so Wally will clean up, and together, they decide to leave the theater, finding humor in the situation.

Her romantic journey then takes her to Robert, who she believes is a kind, affectionate boyfriend. They spend a day at an amusement park with Sam, but despite Robert’s caring nature, he repeatedly stops Pam from advancing their physical relationship. As it turns out, Robert is secretly gay and attracted to Sam — a revelation that devastates Pam when Robert breaks up with her. Her attempts to connect with Sam romantically afterward are met with discomfort and rejection, adding to her feelings of confusion and disappointment.

In an effort to seek excitement, Pam sneaks out with her friend Karina to attend a house party. The scene is filled with drug use and rebellious attitudes. During the party, she meets Joey, a straight-edge guest with a mysterious aura, who makes an awkward move on her. When Pam reveals she is a virgin, Joey hesitates, telling her she isn’t “worthy” of losing her virginity, which leaves her feeling humiliated. The following morning, as the host Kelly drives her home, Kelly casually mentions that Joey is a Neo-Nazi, a revelation that shocks Pam and makes her feel even more embarrassed, leading to her being grounded by her parents.

While grounded, Pam spends time with her mother, [Laura House], and learns about her mother’s youthful experiences through love letters she discovers. This inspires Pam to reflect on her own journey, prompting her to ask her mother about when she lost her virginity. Her mother, upset, arranges for her to have “the talk” with her father, Chris Kelman, who offers a brutally honest and cynical view of sex, leaving Pam horrified and embarrassed. Later, she visits Sam, who apologizes and reassures her that she deserves the best. In a heartfelt moment, Sam reads a letter revealing his feelings for Pam, and she, feeling supported and more confident, playfully cuddles with him. This intimate gesture subtly suggests that she might finally lose her virginity in a safe, caring environment, symbolizing her growth and understanding of what she truly wants.

Throughout her journey, Pam’s experiences highlight her naivety, humor, and most importantly, her desire for genuine connection. Each encounter, whether disappointing or enlightening, helps her understand herself better, demonstrating that the path to maturity often involves mistakes, vulnerability, and heartfelt moments of clarity.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:16