Review of The Edge of Seventeen (2016) by K Nife C — 07 Dec 2016

This belongs on a list of films that every millennial must see, considering that the central theme is that life really isn't all about you. We follow Hailee Steinfeld mope, moan, condescend, and begrudge everyone in her life in hopes of breaking out of her adolescent ennui.

I find it fitting to co-opt the term "Hughesian" from the jazz poet and apply it to films in the vein of John Hughes' 80's coming-of-age oeuvre - then apply it to "The Edge of Seventeen".

That's just what it felt like. Being lost and alone is a feeling we should all feel from time to time. It is a way to learn about who you really are and what you want out of life. So many times, we find distractions and distinctions to avoid having to face who we truly are.

We put our faith in other things or other people to tell us what to think and what to do. Perhaps this is because we spend so much time placing value judgments on everyone around us, expecting that they are doing the same to us.

But it all comes back to the fact that people probably aren't that wrapped up in everything that you do all the time. That doesn't mean they don't care, it's just that they have their own problems to deal with.

If this film does one thing, both humorously and dramatically, it provides several concrete examples against the solipsistic urge of the adolescent mind. But if the angst of high school kids doesn't sound like an enlightening experience to you, steer clear of this one.