Puppy Love

The story unfolds mostly in a suburban home environment where Diane and her family live, with key scenes unfolding in the neighboring houses, at school, and during social outings. The neighborhood and school provide a backdrop for teen friendships, flirtations, and conflicts, while car rides and vacations broaden the setting to intimate, social spaces. The varied locations highlight the tension between a private family life and the public spaces where adolescence and experimentation unfold.

🌱 Coming of Age

Diane's experiences reflect the complex, often confusing journey of growing up and discovering her sexuality. The narrative follows her attempts to understand her desires, boundaries, and identity within the pressures of friends and family. The story portrays how curiosity, vulnerability, and personal boundaries shape her development across adolescence.

🤝 Boundaries & Consent

The plot places Diane in situations that test boundaries, consent, and the influence of peers and adults. Through missteps, yearning, and conflict, the film examines how respect for personal limits can be compromised or reaffirmed. It invites reflection on what consent means in relationships, especially in the confusing terrain of teenage life.

👪 Family & Responsibility

Family dynamics drive much of the tension in the film, with parental choices creating upheaval and emotional strain. The father's behaviour introduces questions about responsibility, trust, and the impact of adult actions on a teenager's sense of safety. The story contrasts parental missteps with the teenager's pursuit of love, safety, and autonomy.