Our Time

Set in 1955, the film captures mid-1950s America with its strict codes of conduct and emphasis on virginity and traditional romance. The era frames teenage life around obedience, reputation, and the emerging conflicts between personal desires and social expectations. It also reflects the era’s limited avenues for young women to navigate pregnancy and autonomy.

The story unfolds at Penfield Academy, an all-girls boarding school in Springfield, Massachusetts. The campus serves as a closed, social microcosm where reputation and propriety dictate daily life. The small-town setting highlights the tension between private school norms and the wider world outside the campus.

🌱 Coming of Age

Abby and Muffy’s senior-year experiences force them to confront questions about sexuality, identity, and adulthood. The film follows their attempts to carve out agency within rigid social norms. Growth comes through trial, missteps, and the consequences of pursuing personal desires.

⚖️ Choice and Consequence

The plot centers on the critical choices surrounding virginity, pregnancy, and abortion. The characters’ decisions lead to irreversible outcomes, underscoring how limited options and external pressures shape what they can or cannot do with their lives. The narrative emphasizes accountability for actions taken in adolescence.

🤝 Friendship & Social Dynamics

Friendship drives much of the plot, revealing how rivalries, loyalties, and peer pressure influence decisions. Abby and Muffy’s bond is tested by romantic entanglements and social expectations. The story examines how female friendships navigate competition and support in a constrained environment.