This John Hughes-esque film proves they sometimes still make them like they used to.
I must confess that I love teen movies. It’s a genre that I (and many of you, I’m sure) can relate to. Yes, it’s been a fair while since I was a teen myself but I still vividly remember the anxiety that came with asking a girl to a disco and the fear of walking into a test I was utterly unprepared for. Despite the stress and heartache that came with those years, they were some of the bestof my life. When done right, these films allow me to reminisce.
The Edge of Seventeen closed the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival and wow, what a way to end on a high! This coming-of-age movie is a brutally and often hilariously honest look at what it’s like to be a teen in today’s crazy modern world.
It focuses around the socially awkward Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld), who’s life becomes even more stressful once she discovers her brother Darian (Blake Jenner) is dating her best (and only) friend Krista (Haley Lu Richardson). In a moment of desperation, Nadine goes out of her comfort zone to make a new friend – the kind and geeky Erwin (Hayden Szeto) who tries his best to lift her spirits.
The film also stars Woody Harrelson as Nadine’s teacher/mentor. The chemistry between the two is incredible. Their scenes together provide some of the best moments of the entire movie. You may argue that he could have been given more screen time, but I feel his character wouldn’t have been as effective had that have been the case.
It’s no surprise that The Edge of Seventeen has been so well received due to the fact that James L. Brooks produces it. He’s the man behind strong character-driven big-screen classics such as Big, Say Anything, As Good as It Gets and Jerry Maguire. Let’s not forget he’s also the creator of The Simpsons. He may not have written or directed this movie, but his presence is certainly felt in the tone of it.
The thing that makes this film so great is that it feels like it was actually written by a teen – rather than an adult living in the past, who clearly doesn’t have a clue how things have changed. Sure, the writer/director (Kelly Fremon Craig) provides a fair few cliché moments, but they’re believable nonetheless. For just under a couple of hours, you’ll be taken back to the good (and bad) old days.
Mikey Clarke
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Genres: Drama & Comedy
Cast: Hailee Steinfeld, Haley Lu Richardson, Blake Jenner, Kyra Sedgwick, Woody Harrelson, Hayden Szeto and Alexander Calvert
Running Time: 1hr 44mins
Written/Directed by: Kelly Fremon Craig
See if you liked: Sixteen Candles and Easy A
See The Edge of Seventeen and much more at Showcase Cinema, Peterborough. Visit www.showcasecinemas.co.uk for the latest up-to-date show times. You can also join the chat on Twitter @showcasecinemas or on Facebook by searching for ‘Showcase Cinemas’.
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