'The Edge Of Seventeen' A Review

The Edge of Seventeen is a coming-of-age comedy about anti-social teen Nadine(Hailee Steinfeld) as she deals with her best and only friend Krista(Haley Lu Richardson) dating her jock seemingly unflappable brother Darian(Blake Jenner). Nadine's teacher Mr. Bruner(Woody Harrelson) is her sarcastic and reluctant confidant as she navigates the affections of dorky Erwin(Hayden Szeto), the disregard of bad boy Nick(Alexander Calvert), and the collapse of her only friendship.

Steinfeld as the lead puts in a vulnerable, diverse performance but is periodically restricted by the somewhat illogical demands of the script. She shines brightest in her scenes with Harrelson, where both actors display magnetic chemistry and convey substantial emotion while trading quips. These are also the moments that Nadine feels the most real. Richardson and Jenner put in decent turns but are constrained by limited screen time with Steinfeld, perfunctory character development, and the somewhat cliched plot machinations. Kyra Sedgwick is underutilized as Nadine's mother having one or two great moments but an arc that is lacking.

The dynamite cast and engaging subject matter is restrained by the sheer number of problems with which its lead has to contend(not only a dead father but the desertion of a best friend and romantic travails any one of which would be worth the film's attention) as well as the sometimes flawed emotional heights the script requires. We get a glimpse into the mind of a young teenage woman but we are prevented from a full view by distracting genre conventions.

A fresh and compelling take on the coming-of-age story but prevented from real catharsis or discovery by a convoluted narrative.

Rent It.