Film Review The Edge Of Seventeen

THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN
Directed by Kelly Fremon Craig
Screenplay by Kelly Fremon Craig
Starring Hailee Steinfeld; Woody Harrelson; Kyra Sedgwick; Haley Lu Richardson; and Hayden Szeto



Let me get right to it, first time director and screenwriter Kelly Fremon Craig has created a gem here. Perfection.
She does a perfect job of understanding what it is like to grow up in a high school at this day and age of cell phones. The pressure of trying to be liked. The pain of a crush. The self centered behavior of a teenager. The realization of the loss of friends/ friends moving on. Craig has this story so real that often it is cringe-worthy.
This cannot work without good performances and it starts with the lead Steinfeld. I loved her in True Grit. Loved her in 3 Days To Kill. Not so much in Pitch Perfect 2. Here as Nadine she shines. She is in every scene. She is stubborn. Heartrendingly sad. Lost. We see her as a self centered teen, at the same time we feel so much for her.
There are other wonderful performances around here:
Woody Harrelson as the the most honest teacher in high school in years. He cares, but does not want to be in the spotlight. it is hilarious how he just wants to get through his day in peace.
Haley Lu Richardson as Nadine's best friend and then former best friend. Giving a wonderful performance walking a tightrope of trying to keep her friend but at the same time being in love with her friends brother. At first we think that she is awful for doing this to her friend, then we start to see maybe she is not the problem. It is a difficult part that is well played.
Blake Jenner as Darian, Nadine's brother. At first I thought he was ...a dud, a popular High school kid cliche. However as the story moves forward you start to see he is more, capped off with a wonderful lecture to Nadine. it is not an easy part and he pulls it off.
Kyra Sedgewick as mom. She is underused and kind of a cliche. However she is Kyra freaking Sedgewick!!
Then there is a small part played wonderfully by Hayden Szeto. Showing clearly that being awkward in high school is not just for girls. However finding a like crowd can change so much. He takes his small part and makes it big.

I really cannot think of much say bad about this film. It is funny one moment and heartbreaking the next.
5 out of 5 stars for The Edge Of Seventeen, one of the best if not the best film of the year.

The Edge Of Seventeen will be available for home viewing on February 14th.

From the shadows as always thanks for your time.