Review of The Edge of Seventeen (2016) by Antonius B — 27 Dec 2017
Hailee Steinfeld is a revelation in this film, playing an incredibly awkward and difficult to like teenager who spirals after her father dies and her only friend (Haley Lu Richardson) begins dating her brother (Blake Jenner).
We empathize with her and understand that she means well, but we cringe as she's incredibly insensitive to her teacher (Woody Harrelson) and a boy who likes her (Hayden Szeto). Kyra Sedgwick is good as the mother, dealing with her own pain and insecurities, and yet also unkind to her daughter.
It's a strong cast, and a strong script as well - emotionally honest, and never cloying. Steinfeld's scenes with Szeto on the roller coaster and swimming pool are very well done, as are her scenes with Jenner late in the movie.
Throughout it all, Harrelson dispensing tough love hits all the right notes. It's hard to do films in this genre because there has been so many over the years, but director Kelly Fremon Craig gives this one a sense of depth and substance.
This review of The Edge of Seventeen (2016) was written by Antonius B on 27 Dec 2017.
The Edge of Seventeen has generally received very positive reviews.
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