Review of The Edge of Seventeen (2016) by Johnny T — 03 Mar 2017

Written and directed by the gifted first-timer Kelly Fremon Craig, and graced by a superb star turn from Hailee Steinfeld, The Edge of Seventeen is the rare coming-of-age picture that feels less like a retread than a renewal. It's a disarmingly smart, funny and thoughtful piece of work, from end to beginning to end. Unfolding like a symphony of small humiliations, there isn't a moment in this movie that doesn't feel at least vaguely familiar, and there isn't a moment in this movie that doesn't feel completely true. The Edge of Seventeen is a strong successor to Hughes' legacy with its mix of biting humor and bittersweet heart. Thankfully, Fremon Craig's script is smart and sensitive enough not to gloss over the real pain lurking beneath Nadine's bravado as she deals with the aftermath of her dad's death, her best friend's betrayal, and the fact that the right guy (Hayden Szeto) might not be the one with the best bangs. The Edge of Seventeen went beyond the edge of glory and created a new standard for coming of age films about being a teenager in high school. It ends on a cheerful note, free of sentimentality, which is true to the film's careful mixture of big laughs and meaningful drama. The Edge of Seventeen's sharp script -- and Hailee Steinfeld's outstanding lead performance -- make this more than just another coming-of-age dramedy.

VERDICT: "High-Quality Stuff" - [Positive Reaction] This is a rating to a movie I view as very entertaining and well made, and definitely worth paying the full price at a theatre to see or own on DVD. It is not perfect, but it is definitely excellent. (Films that are rated 3.5 or 4 stars).