Friday Flicks: The Edge of Seventeen

The angsty teen is an archetype so often butchered in film, ending up either flat and lifeless or an over the top drama queen. Hailee Steinfeld, after recieving an Oscar nomination at only 13 for her portrayal of Mattie Ross in True Grit and playing the iconic role of Juliet, takes on her hardest role yet, the angsty teen Nadine. This Friday, I'm writing about what makes The Edge of Seventeen the coming of age film of our generation.

Acting: 10/10

Hailee Steinfeld could not have delivered a more realistic and heartbreaking performance as Nadine. She makes you bust up laughing with quotes like "Your head is too big for your body. It looks ridiculous and you'll never be able to fix it." and bring you to tears when she tearfully prays to God in a fro-yo shop bathroom. In her high top sneaker wedges, she skillfully walks a tightrope of emotion that makes Nadine such a real and complex character.

+2 points for Woody Harrelson's portrayal of Nadine's disgruntled history teacher. It's practically impossible to keep a straight face whenever he's onscreen.

Costuming: 10/10

I dressed almost exactly like this my freshman year, so that shows you the accuracy of Steinfeld's "misfit teen" look. Funky skirts, ironic tees, chunky shoes, and vintage outerwear pretty much define Nadine and help her etch herself out of the crowd and express herself.

Set Design: 10/10

The movie mostly takes place at school and other teenager-y hangouts in her hometown. This helps contribute to the idea that Nadine, a self described "old soul" is trapped in the high school world of mini golf and frozen yogurt. My personal favorite scene though, is when she sends a risky text to her bad boy crush while sitting on an old playground, symbolizing her transition from girl to young woman.

Soundtrack: 10/10

Is it possible to have nostalgia for something so recent? This soundtrack reminds my own freshman year with hits like Cage the Elephants "Trouble" and Miike Snow's "Genghis Khan", and I think that's why it defines our generation. It reminds us of ourselves and and our own high school experiences, the way Clueless does for our parents.

Final Score 12/10

It honestly makes me mad that "Lady Bird" gets more hype than "The Edge of Seventeen". I liked Lady Bird the first time I watched it, but now I realize that Lady Bird has no redeeming qualities. Compared to this film its a moody and dark portrayal of teen life, where the only escape from the pain of adolescence is going to college across the country. The Edge of Seventeen's Nadine is not perfect, but we like her for her spunk and independence, and want things for her. The movie doesn't end with her moving away for college or being crowned prom queen, but the realization that she is complicit in her isolation from her peers and we see her move forward and open up to new people.