The Edge of Seventeen Review (R)

Yes, I know it’s been forever BUT all it took was a movie as brilliant as this one to bring me back to life. The Edge of Seventeen was high on my list of films to see and it blew me out of the water. Before I give you 5  reasons why you need to go see it right this second, I’ll give you a little background information.

This film follows Nadine, played by the incredible Hailee Steinfeld, who is going through what all of us went through when we were seventeen– hell. Nadine hasn’t had much luck throughout her life and it seems like the end of the world when Nadine’s only best friend begins dating her perfect, Greek-god looking brother. This leads to a spiral of painfully awkward moments and when you don’t think it could get much worse for her, it does.

Here are 5 reasons why you NEED to go see The Edge of Seventeen:

1. Hailee Steinfeld is a freakin’ genius. That girl can sing AND act her heart out. It’s really not fair. But, she steals the movie with her authenticity and impeccable grasp on the deep, inner feelings of a seventeen year old girl. Steinfeld’s awkwardness radiates through the screen, making you cringe in your seat. I believed every second of her performance and she definitely redeemed herself after that monstrosity called Pitch Perfect 2. 
2. I have found one of my favorite movie characters of all time in this film and his name is Erwin. Right after his first scene, I was hooked. Erwin, played by newcomer Hayden Szeto, becomes Nadine’s unsuspecting friend. He is the most awkward, lovable, goofy, adorable, hilarious characters I have ever had the pleasure to watch. You can’t help but fall in love with him. I don’t want to ruin it for you so just trust me; see the movie and you’ll understand.
3. Two words: Woody Harrelson. I haven’t seen a film with him in it that I didn’t like. He plays Nadine’s off-the-cuff, sarcastic teacher who ends up teaching her the best lesson outside the classroom.
4. The writing in this film is insane. It’s genius. What makes me appreciate a movie is the script and this script just crushed it. The balance between the quirky comedy and deep, emotional moments is what makes this movie amazing. It reminds me SO much of a modern day, John Hughes film that if you compared it to Sixteen Candles or The Breakfast Club, it would be able to compete.
5. It brings back all the feels. Everyone remembers what it is like to be in high school and feel like it’s the end of the world. Everyone remembers what it’s like to want to fit in. This movie brings back all those emotions ten times over. However, Nadine’s high school experience will make you feel A LOT better about yours.

So, with all that being said, if this film can bring me back from months of silence on this blog, that shows how much I REALLY loved it. This film will make you laugh, it will make you cry and it will make you feel on the edge of seventeen.