This Modern Age

This Modern Age

Year: 1931

Runtime: 68 mins

Language: English

Director: Nick Grindé

RomanceComedyDrama

Joan, a modern young woman, confronts the harsh realities of life and love for the first time, learning what independence truly means. Meanwhile, a Harvard football star rebels against his aristocratic parents, abandoning their expectations to run away with the woman he genuinely loves.

This Modern Age (1931) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at This Modern Age (1931) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In a world where inherited privilege meets the restless pulse of the 1930s, Valentine “Val” Winters finds herself thrust from the protective orbit of her late father into a whirlwind of high‑society expectations. The sudden shift forces her to confront the delicate balance between family loyalty and personal ambition, a tension that is amplified when she discovers her sophisticated mother, Diane “Di” Winters, living a surprising life abroad. The film’s elegant settings—glittering mansions, lively cafés, and the romantic streets of Paris—serve as a backdrop for a young woman’s first true test of independence.

Diane’s Parisian existence introduces Tony Girard, a charismatic, free‑spirited companion who embodies a carefree counterpoint to Val’s polished upbringing. Their interactions hint at a world where charm and recklessness intermingle, suggesting that Val’s journey will be shaped as much by unexpected friendships as by the pressures of her lineage. The tone oscillates between sophisticated drama and breezy wit, reflecting the protagonist’s inner conflict between duty and desire.

Across the Atlantic, Robert “Bob” Blake Jr. arrives as a striking contrast: a Harvard‑educated football star whose aristocratic family expects him to follow a prescribed path of privilege and propriety. Bob’s own yearning to break away from parental expectations mirrors Val’s struggle, setting the stage for a partnership built on shared aspirations for freedom. Their worlds collide in a delicate dance of class, love, and the daring choice to forge a future on their own terms.

This Modern Age paints a vivid portrait of youthful idealism confronting entrenched social conventions. Through sumptuous scenery and nuanced character dynamics, the film invites viewers to linger on the quiet moments where courage is first whispered, hinting at the possibilities that lie ahead for those bold enough to step beyond the shadows of their heritage.

Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 10:20

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Bittersweet Social Dramas of Love and Society like in This Modern Age

Where romantic ideals clash with the rigid expectations of high society.Discover movies like This Modern Age that delve into the tension between romantic desires and societal expectations. If you enjoyed the class conflicts and moral dilemmas of this 1930s drama, you'll find similar stories about love tested by family loyalty and social judgment.

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Narrative Summary

Stories typically follow protagonists, often young women or rebellious heirs, who fall in love across social lines. The central conflict arises from the disapproval of family or society, forcing characters into difficult choices between their heart's desire and their prescribed role, culminating in an ending that acknowledges the cost of their decisions.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together because they share a specific emotional tone—bittersweet—and a thematic focus on the conflict between individual aspiration and social conformity. They feature steady pacing that allows for deep character exploration and a medium emotional weight rooted in personal, relational stakes.

Coming-of-Age Stories in a Glamorous World like in This Modern Age

Young characters discover the harsh realities behind a glittering facade.Find movies similar to This Modern Age, where a young person's journey into a glamorous society reveals difficult truths. If you liked Joan's story of confronting reality in 1930s Paris, you'll enjoy these narratives about coming of age amidst beauty, hypocrisy, and moral compromise.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a naive character being introduced to an alluring setting—often a big city or a circle of the elite. Through a series of revelations and encounters, they learn that glamour often masks pain and hypocrisy. Their journey is one of disillusionment and growth, as they must define their own morals and identity separate from the seductive world they entered.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a focus on the coming-of-age arc within a specific, atmospheric world. They blend a reflective, sometimes nostalgic mood with dramatic tension, exploring themes of independence, moral compromise, and the end of innocence. The pacing is steady, building the protagonist's understanding step by step.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in This Modern Age

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Characters, Settings & Themes in This Modern Age

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