Edge of Seventeen

The film is a coming-out story set in Sandusky, Ohio, in 1984. It moves a bit slowly, but it is nevertheless sweet. The characterizations and performances are genuine and provide sincere laughs and tears. The film is amazingly accurate in showing the whole gamut of coming out.

The talented cast is wonderful, and the story ultimately is a healing experience.

Anyone who grew up gay in the 70s and came out in the 80s can relate to some aspect of this wonderful film. The music, the clothes, and the look are perfectly recreated. The performances are honest, tender and intimate. The awkward conversations and situations only add to the realism. The complexity of Eric and Maggie's relationship is truthful and very emotional. Eric's internalized homophobia is something most of us go through...especially when we are not ready to "come out" to our parents and ourselves. I can recall dressing outrageously and experimenting with my hair to make a statement just as Eric does and then denying that I was gay.

Yes, some men are portrayed as "queenish" and "promiscuous", but that's because some real men are. QUEER AS FOLK should be this good.

Chris Stafford shines, Tina Holmes is incredible, Andersen Gabrych is seductive and Stephanie McVay is the mom we all wish we had. The fabulous Lea Delaria belting out "Blue Skies" is an added bonus. Looking forward to more greatness from the talents involved here.

A great gay companion piece to THE LAST AMERICAN VIRGIN.

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.

This is definitely one of the best gay "coming-of-age" films that I've ever seen. Screenwriter Todd Stephens' choice of era (80's) to showcase his story can not be any more appropriate, drawing a parallel between the struggle of a young gay man in coming to terms with his sexuality and a nation in realizing "all that glitters is not gold." Both required the courage to honestly looked at the truth, and this is ultimately what "Edge of Seventeen" managed to accomplish. Quite often in the world of celluloid, being gay is reduced to being comical, sacchrined, or "romantically" bleak. Director David Moreton knew better. He chose to give us a multi-faceted depiction of gay experience instead. There's a bit of tears, some heartaches, a tinge of angst, a sense of loss, and a healthy dose of laughter; Kudos to the entire cast for their wonderful performances. The lead character could not have been played better by Chris Stafford, who has the incredible ability to convey such wide range of emotions/reactions, from being speechlessly moved with a sense of implicit pressured in realizing how hard his parents have to work to send him to college, to being awkwardly "pleasured" during a post-clubbing front-seat rimming session. Tina Holmes also delivered an outstanding performance as the "girlfriend" of the lead. Instead of playing it like a stereotypical witty and I've-got-ten-thousand-comeback-line faghag, Holmes' Maggie is every bit as complex as the young man in the spotlight. At times, she reminded me of a young Meryl Streep, with her dead-on display of subtle emotional shifts.

I honestly did not think I would like this movie. Something about the fact that it was based in the eighties made me a little edgy about seeing it. But I was actually pleasantly surprised.

Chris Stafford, who I would very much like to see in bigger roles, presented an incredible portrayal of a young man struggling with his sexuality in a very bias environment. Not only did I enjoy the way his character gradually came out of his shell and embraced this part about him that he had tried so hard to deny for so long but I was just so entranced and surprised by his performance throughout the film.

Anderson Gabrych as Rod was equally amazing. I was a little put off by him at first and I was extremely wary of that stereotypical gay he seemed to be at first introduction but I really enjoyed his performance, as well. And Tina Holmes was wonderful as Eric's best friend and her difficulty with the fact that the man she was in love with didn't love her that way was incredibly believable.

I enjoyed each actor's portrayal of their character and the flawless acting and the sexy (but tasteful) love scenes and just about everything about the film. The only thing I did not enjoy was the end. It felt awkward and cut short and if the director was aiming for a cliffhanger, he certainly succeeded - but a little too much was left unsaid for a completely successful closing.

Overall, the movie was one that I will watch many, many more times. It's an emotional, realistic insight into the struggles of coming out and embracing one's sexuality. Definitely worth the watch.