The Edge of Seventeen
Starring: Hailee Steinfeld, Woody Harrelson, Hayden Szeto, Haley Lu Richardson
Directed by: Kelly Fremon Craig
Rated: R
Seventeen. For a select few, it's the prime of life. For many, it's a painfully awkward age. We're just beginning to escape the throws of adolescence, but too young to label ourselves an adult. How are we supposed to deal with this uncomfortable phase? Well,The Edge of Seventeen is here to explain this phase in all of it's awkwardness. It's a rare gem in a genre that is quickly losing its luster.
For Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld), seventeen isn't a train of awkward situations that hit suddenly, but a continuation of her unpleasant teenage years. She feels isolated and betrayed when her popular brother Darian (Blake Jenner) starts dating her lifelong best friend, Krista (Haley Lu Richardson). However, she makes some unlikely friends in a fellow classmate (Hayden Szeto) and teacher (Woody Harrelson) that prove she's not as lonely as it may seem.
The Edge of Seventeen really surprised me. I've seen many coming-of-age movies recently that aren't believable. The characters are too quirky or they don't behave in a realistic way. However, this film presents well developed characters that seem like real teenagers. I have to give credit to Kelly Fremon Craig who wrote a fantastic screenplay that develops realistic characters. This has the potential to become a cult classic in the same vein of Napoleon Dynamite that we'll be quoting years from now.
Hailee Steinfeld plays Nadine wonderfully. Whether it's a comedic scene portraying the awkwardness of teenage life or a scene bubbling with family dysfunction, Steinfeld nails the role. Every relationship she has in the film is distinct. Each one brings out more of Nadine's personality and show she is a deeply layered character.
Woody Harrelson excels as the sarcastic history teacher Mr. Bruner. He and Nadine have several hilarious scenes together in the film. His one liners are memorable as standouts. It's clear Nadine views Mr. Bruner as a father figure, as she always goes to him for advice in her worst moments. I really appreciate that aspect of the film because it develops both characters on a deeper level.
I can't talk about the acting and characters without mentioning Erwin played by Hayden Szeto. Erwin is Nadine's quirky classmate turned friend. Hilarious does not even begin to describe him. I could not stop laughing during the majority of his scenes. Hayden Szeto pairs an awkward and comedic energy that brilliantly fits the character.
The Edge of Seventeen balances just the right amount of comedy and drama for a hilarious, relatable, and emotional tale of teen angst. Its fantastic screenplay and impressive characterization lead it to coming-of-age greatness.
My Rating: 9/10