Edge of Seventeen

8/10 - a small indie gay film that leaves quite the impression

I've seen just about every gay movie out there, and 'edge of seventeen' is by far one of my favorites. The one word that best describes it is 'honest'....but it's also nostalgic, funny, wonderfully simple, yet beautifully complex. The viewer can start off enjoying how accurately it captures the mid 80's, especially the excitement and uncertainty that Eric, the main character, is experiencing. Then, as the story unfolds, each new development that Eric deals with as he comes to terms with being gay is so well done, so honest and nontheatrical, that it feels almost like a documentary. The movie's got a huge heart. Don't miss it!!!

EDGE OF SEVENTEEN is by far the more realistic and enjoyable "coming of age/coming out" films to hit cinemas in a while. On a thematic par with the Brit import GET REAL, this film touches on the reality of coming of age in 1984 mid-America, though I suspect it is pretty much the same in any American suburb. The competition must discount Britain's BEAUTIFUL THING which is really an out and out romance. But it beats the cardboard contrivances of DEFYING GRAVITY, a collegiate scenario of similar ilk.

The awkward flirty moments building up to the first boy/boy coupling have an air of sexy familiarity. Film's presumption that "all some guys want is sex" is (unfortunately) dead on real. Chris Stafford plays the leading teen with immense charm. We'll see more from Stafford, surely. His studly co-star is suitably entrancing and is fine to look from the back during their love scenes. We certainly understand why our hero falls for this college-age cad.

Naturally there's a gal pal, too, who here is underplayed nicely but a little too Winona-like for comfort. Broadway uber-dyke Lea DeLaria is onboard for yuks but is just a little too odd and urban to blend in a Sandusky supermarket. Gay men will get teary as Stafford fesses up to Mom that he's queer. Film's only flaw is some obviously clipped editing. At least two scenes are confusing in continuity leading us to wonder whahappened???

But EDGE OF SEVENTEEN is a winner. Gay or straight, first love and coming of age are themes that hit home.

Liked this film and felt it was a nice try at giving us more of an understanding of the teenaged gay coming out. Lead actor playing Eric, was excellent in portraying all the inner problems that lead to his willingness to admit to himself what he wants for a sexual partner. And who wouldn't with Rod and Jonathan offering their hot little bodies to him for a night of passion. The one thing I feel he missed was the first kiss. It could have been played up more. It sort of came out of the sex thing. But then, a view of Rod's butt soon made that disappear. I liked the mother and her scene with Eric's admission he was gay. She showed not only the pain and confusion, but offered her arms and love to her needing son. Great acting, great scene. The bar scenes bored me, but, then, bars do bore me. I wish more could have been made between Eric and Jonathan. Here I felt there mnight have developed a relationship and Eric might have found some love in his quest for the truth. But, it seems love was not to happen. At least at this stage of his coming out. Too bad. See this movie, if only for the rare look of a teen coming out all by himself.

One of the better "coming of age" films about gay youth. Especially effective in this movie is Tina Holmes, who plays Maggie, Eric's best friend/girlfriend. She brings a true sense of innocence to the film, and when she discovers the truth about Eric, her pain is real. This is a young woman to watch! The film doesn't flinch in its look at the wonder, confusion, and deception associated with the coming out process, and despite some awkward direction, Edge of Seventeen succeeds at opening the eyes of its audience, both gay and straight.