Forget the superhero movies. Forget the animated comedies that may be family friendly or not. Forget the action driven or science fiction sequels to popular reboots. And forget the rest of the summer blockbuster genre. The most fun I had watching a film this year was the November-released, teenage coming-of-age film THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN.
Dressed in a mismatch top to a quirky skirt with comfortable sneakers, Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld) is a unique individual, which makes her a fairly normal teenager. Somewhat of a social outcast, she has never been very good at making friends. She even spends her downtime at school pestering one of her teachers (Woody Harrelson) about her misunderstood life and the terrible people in it. However, Nadine does have one friend, Krista (Haley Lu Richardson), who she leans on for support. Nadine and Krista have been best friends since grade school. A hiccup occurs in that relationship when Krista begins dating Nadine’s extremely popular older brother Darian (Blake Jenner), which makes poor Nadine’s life even more unbearable.
THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN succeeds for a number of reasons. As a modern day John Hughes film it’s a lighter view at the teenage life. Unlike one of my favorite film’s from last year, ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL where characters were dealing with cancer and death, THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN deals more generally with the idea of being a teenager who feels as though she doesn’t fit in.
Hailee Steinfeld is a phenomenal talent and proves that her Oscar nomination for True Grit when she was only fourteen was no fluke. She embodies Nadine’s insecurities perfectly. Mixing loud-mouthed rudeness with shy pain, Nadine is both humorous and sympathetic. She is a teenager who is generally in the wrong but who’s actions are nearly always understandable and valid. There in lies the true victory of THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN. First time director Kelly Fremon Craig wrote an intelligent screenplay that encapsulates what it’s like to be a teenager in today’s social media world and I look forward to her next projects.
The supporting work from Kyra Sedgwick and Eric Keenleyside as Nadine’s frazzled mother and sweet father are terrific. But it’s Woody Harrelson as the passive teacher who doesn’t placate to Nadine’s overreactions or constant rude interruptions who highlights some of the marquee moments of the film. The scenes between him and Steinfeld are genuinley funny and touching. Another standout is newcomer Hayden Szeto, who plays a boy with a crush on Nadine. His brave but sad attempts at asking Nadine out are so uncomfortably satisfying that you can’t help but root, laugh and feel sorry for the poor kid.
Produced by James L. Brooks who has had his hand in such popular comedies as JERRY MAGUIRE, AS GOOD AS IT GETS, and “The Simpsons”, THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN fits nicely along these type of award winning stories. The teenage coming-of-age story probably isn’t for everyone, especially with the film’s R-rating. But despite the sometimes excessive language and hormonal sex-filled drive of teenagers, that is not the focus here. At the heart of the film through all these characters their is an authentic good nature. Led by a strong cast and a witty screenplay, THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN is a slice of life that I think most people can relate to during their “drama” of adolescence with a fond and humorous reflection.
