Customer Reviews

Edge of Seventeen

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Edge of Seventeen is a wonderfully realized coming-of-age film about the one teen trauma John Hughes never touched: coming out. To start with, the soundtrack is nothing short of spectacular for 80s nostalgia enthusiasts. And the costuming is eerily authentic (rumor has it that the screenwriter ransacked his own home closet to find his 80s club duds). Passing the fact that David Morton has managed to capture the feel of a Hughes teen flick (down to the great opening credits); the performances are the high point here. Chris Stafford will steal every gay Gen-Xers heart; both because he's adorably snuggleable without being implausably beautiful, and because playing a 16-yr old from the mid-80s, he's a stand-in for all of us who WISH we'd had the guts to go after the cute blond boy from our summer job (Anderson Gabrych). Of particular note is Lea Delaria supporting turn as the dyke den-momma; who provides the best possible example for how queer adults should treat queer kids. This is a film that's full of great moments (mostly dominated by Stafford), including a "first-time" love scene that will leave you twitchy with anticipation, and a rimming scene (move over, "Queer as Folk") that will have you rolling off the couch with laughter. Best of all is the fact that for a US-made gay-teen themed film, the plot finally seems to break past the level of "Afterschool Special;" enough for me to rank it above such gay film favorites as "Beautiful Thing" and "Get Real." For American queerboys who came of age in the 80s, this is as real as it gets (or as close to what we wanted in our teen years as we'll find now.) It's a must-have for your collection.

Yes... it's another "coming out" movie. Luckily, this one stands out from the crowd -- thanks to great performances and an honest and sensitive portrayal.

It's 1984 in Sandusky, Ohio... 17-year-old Eric (Stafford) finishes his junior year at high school and takes a summer job serving food at the local amusement park, along with his best friend Maggie (Holmes). There he meets openly gay Rod (Gabrych), who sets Eric off on his road to realizing his budding homosexuality.

The movie does an excellent job of showing the truthful highs & lows of coming out in your teens. In Eric's discovery, he has his first and several gay sexual experiences (and mistakes that sex for love), goes to his first gay bar, silently deals with the "queer" name calling by his classmates, hides his sexuality from his family, & sleeps with and then alienates his best female friend... all while morphing from a "nerd" into an eccentric dressing, hair-dyed 80's new wave child in his attempt to become individual. The results are honest, funny, heartfelt, and displayed with an unexpected sexual candor.

The cast is absolutely fantastic. The real stand-out is Chris Stafford, who plays Eric as a sweetly naive young man without becoming sappy. Tina Holmes is great as Maggie, giving a wonderful performance of someone torn between love and then hate. Stephanie McVay plays Eric's sweet & headstrong Mom, and gives her character emotional depth (especially when Eric finally admits his homosexuality). Best of all, Lea Delaria is an absolute treat as the summer job boss and local gay bar owner that turns into the friend & tour guide we all wish we had when coming out.

Accompanied by a terrific soundtrack featuring Bronski Beat, the Eurythmics, and the Thompson Twins (for all you Twins' lovers, frontman Tom Bailey composed the score!), this movie wins on all points. I think you'll greatly enjoy it and ask for a repeat viewing... especially if your life often mirrored it, like some anonymous reviewer.

"Edge of Seventeen" is for all of us who grew up gay in the 80's. This movie hits the bull's eye when it comes to capturing the nuances of the summer of 1984. If you remember listening to Eurythmics and the Thompson Twins and the whole "Second British Invasion," then you will relate to Eric and the soundtrack to his adolescence. The songs selected here evoke the emotions that Eric is going through: excitement, naivete, and a hint of melancholy underneath. It's surprising that this movie was made in 1999... you'd almost think it was filmed in the summer of 1984.

Eric's journey out of the closet is a sweet and unapologetic one. Granted, the plot of the hip older guy leading the ingenue into his first taste of love and loss is not new, but the actor who portrays Eric gives a performance so honest that it's hard to believe he is acting. This is someone with good eye for detail... from his Tom Bailey haircut to the lost look in his eyes when Rod disillusions him... he really gets it right. And the scene where he comes out of the closet to his mother and pleads with her ("Look at me. Look at me.") is heart-melting.

EDGE OF SEVENTEEN

(USA - 1998)

Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Theatrical soundtrack: Dolby Stereo SR

The age-old dilemma of gay teens and the reactions of their friends and families is given another (welcome) work-out in David Moreton's refreshingly candid EDGE OF SEVENTEEN, a painfully accurate portrayal of a young guy stumbling awkwardly out of the closet and realising that the so-called 'limitless' possibilities of youth aren't so limitless after all.

Though the theme is familiar, "Edge" is distinguished by its no-frills direction, heartfelt script and, especially, an astonishingly accomplished performance by Chris Stafford. He plays Eric, a 17 year old high school student in Ohio, circa 1984, who can't begin to lay the foundations of his adult life until he's come to terms with his emerging sexuality. Intrigued by an openly gay workmate (Andersen Gabrych) at the diner where they both work after school, Eric finally plucks up the courage to explore his true self, guided by the diner's matriarchal lesbian owner (Lea DeLaria, playing substitute mother to a predominantly young cast), only to discover that people aren't always what they seem.

For such a young actor, Stafford is breathtakingly good as the teenager both excited and terrified by the strange directions in which his life is pulling him. Todd Stephens' script captures the highs and lows of first love and rejection, and Stafford plays it with just the right amount of charm and naivety. Perhaps director Moreton could have beefed up some of the dramatic fireworks which dominate the second half of the picture, (SPOILER ALERT) notably Eric's confession to a close female friend (Tina Holmes) who secretly loves him and is crushed by his revelation, and the heartbreaking moment when Eric finally comes out to his mother (Stephanie McVay) (END OF SPOILER), though these scenes still retain much of their impact and are extremely well-acted by all concerned.

Some viewers have complained that the movie ends too abruptly, with many of Eric's problems unresolved. But if the film has any message at all, it's that few people reach the end of the rainbow, and sometimes it can take a lifetime to resolve the worst of our difficulties, if at all. The story ends with Eric at an emotional crossroads, which is the only place where such an honest film could possibly conclude.

Released nationwide in 1999 after an initial, limited run in 1998, "Edge of Seventeen" is a beautiful, haunting, and thought-provoking film that speaks eloquently to all of us - no matter what gender and/or sexual orientation we may be. Hard-core denizens of the Religious Right won't enjoy this lovely film. As did "It's In the Water" a year earlier, "Edge" boasts a bevy of intriguing, sympathetic characters. The film's two standout performances are Chris Stafford's deft and sensitive portrayal of Eric, a 17-year-old high school student who struggles to come to terms with his sexual orientation in 1980s' Sandusky, Ohio - and Lea DeLaria's presentation of Angie, Eric's mentor and boss. DeLaria is bawdy, beautiful, witty, and bodacious. Her skillful performance adds a grateful mixture of humor and compassion, and it is a perfect complement to Stafford's sweetly textured Eric. Also deserving of honorable mention is Andersen Gabrych's excellent portrayal of Rod, a callous, opportunistic, inordinately handsome user who brings out the vulnerable and trusting Eric - and coldly leaves him to deal with the attendant emotional wreckage. Like "It's In The Water" before it, "Edge" struck a chord with this reviewer (and reformed homophobe) because it powerfully reinforced an enduring reality that I had already begun to embrace: all of us are connected by the joys and vicissitudes of life (and our own humanity), no matter if we are straight or gay. Moreover, we have a duty to be true to ourselves (something Stafford himself declared in "The Advocate" magazine in 1999). Finally, the events in "Edge" resonated deeply with this reviewer - in many ways, the film was a soundtrack of my own adolescence. Don't view this DVD if you're one of the Rev. Fred Phelps' disciples, though. One of the scenes caused me to bury my head in my lap for about 10 seconds (let's just say this depiction wasn't something I ever read about in "Clean Love and Courtship: A Guide for Young Catholic Women"). But it's doubtful that my dedication to this transcendent film will equate to 70 years of bad luck. "Edge of Seventeen" is David Moreton's heartfelt and inspiring cinematic jewel. More than presenting DeLaria's and Stafford's breakthrough performances, it's an unforgettable film for the ages.

edge of seventeen was a very real experience for me. the film portrays all of the actors as actual folks living in the wild days of sex and drinking and disco. the story is really about how the male lead deals with his bestfriend/girlfriend. the scenes between them are unbelievable, the scenes between him and his mother are heartwrenching. this movie can be seen by straight and gay alike, the story itself is amazing and real. and lea delaria is a hoot. watch the movie and see the pain of someone coming out in a remarkable performance.

Many critics felt this film was cliched. But tell that to the mostly gay audience at the SF Gay and Lesbian Film Festival a couple of years ago when this film received a 5 minute ovation after its screening. For a straight reviewer it may be cliched, but for anyone who came out in the 70's it is a must see if for nothing else than a great Bronski Beat soundtrack and the performance of Lea DeLaria.

If you liked Parting Glances or Get Real... get this film!

Every now and then a film comes along that captivates you from start to finish - "Torch Song Trilogy" was one of the first that did that for me. "Edge of Seventeen" did it again. Maybe it's because I was 18 going on 19 when this film, set in 1984, took place. Like Eric from Sandusky Ohio, I too grew up in a small town along the New Jersey shore. And like the film's star, I too listened to music of the 80's and knew I was indeed "different".

You need to buy or at least rent this film if you are male, especially a gay male, a woman, especially a woman who is the friend of a gay man, you're someone in your 20's, 30's or 40's and/or you ever knew someone that was gay. It's also a great film if you ever struggled with who you are, where you came from or faced discrimination in your life for any reason. I think that covers just about everyone now.

Films like this are rare. And even more rare, is the fact that none of the major networks will even probably consider carrying it - what a loss. I'm sure if the film centered on a heterosexual male, the closeted programming people in Hollywood would jump on it. Funny how Hollywood works, for if it weren't for so many gay and lesbian actors and actresses, where would Hollywood be? But I digress.

As for the film? It follows 17-year old Eric as he deals with his sexuality. He lives in at home with Mom, Dad and his brothers. He listens to music by Annie Lennox and Bronski Beat, songs he can relate too. He has a dear female friend who, unfortunately has feelings for him that he'll never truly have for her. Eric's room is adorned with posters of Billy Idol (I think I had the same one in my college dorm), and a photo of New Yorks City's skyline, eerily showing the World Trade Center towers. Eric dreamed of attending music school in New York City. His struggles in school, at work, and in relationships are near and dear to us all. Like so many of us during the "coming out" years, Eric encounters the same prejudices, the same stereotypes and the same hurt. And like anyone who has ever loved or been loved, Eric deals with the challenges of any relationship as it relates to the heart, and sex. And tries to understand the difference. What is most interesting as I watched this film (again set in 1984), is the parallels to today, nearly 20 years later. Is it really that much easier for a 17 year old youth to come out to family and close friends without fear of losing those close to him or her?

The film runs 1 minute shy of 100 minutes. And if you edited out about 9 of those minutes (tops), and a few words, the film is ready for television, not that you'll probably ever see on anything other then Bravo or IFC. I honestly found the film riveting, finding myself in his shoes on so many occasion's. We need films like this to remind our youth that they are not alone, and they will be ok, no matter who they are.

To be fair, a good review should always include some critique, if one is so deserving. The ending, wrapped up in about 15 minutes includes Eric coming out to his Mom, and visiting the local nightclub, where his friend Angie (played by Lea Delaria), dedicates a song to her special friend. The ending was a little too Brady Bunch sitcom. But I won't let it take away from an otherwise excellent film, which earns 5 stars in my book.

As an exact contemporary of the character in Edge of Seventeen--and one from Ohio to boot--I can assure all of the younger and luckier generation, that this is a disturbingly accurate portrayal of growing up gay in the 1980s. Nothing is glossed over and this is certainly no gay "propaganda" film. Eric, the main character, has plenty of unpleasant experiences and learns a few unhappy lessons on his way to being an openly gay young man. In the dark ages of the 80s, when very few schools have Gay-Straight alliances, where can Eric turn but the local gay bar? As he takes the first tentative steps toward coming out, he is used for sex by two other men, hit upon by barflies, and taunted by homophobic youths.

But Eric also meets some real friends along the way, especially Angie, his boss and owner of the local gay club, played with gusto by lesbian comic Lea DeLaria.

The use of thinly disguised real locations for much of the film adds to the realism here. Sandusky's Cedar Point stands in as the Crystal Shores Amusement park, and Cleveland's now defunct Legends nightclub (recently torn down and rebuilt as a drugstore) is the interior of the Universal Fruit & Nut Company bar where Eric begins to explore the seamier side of gay life.

The performances here are uniformly outstanding, especially in the portrayal of Eric's parents. Both Stephanie McVay and John Eby are totally believable as typical 1980s Ohio parents. But the movie really belongs to Chris Stafford's Eric, whose portrayal of a young gay man coming out in the age of Reagan makes this film the definitive gay document of my generation.

One note about the DVD--the image quality leaves a lot to be desired here, there is a great deal of haze and the colors are oversaturated, with plenty of bleeding red images. Also, the lack of closed-captioning effectively makes this DVD useless to the deaf community. I realize that Strand Releasing is a small company, but captioning is fairly standard now, and with the large number of deaf gay men & lesbians, the lack of captioning is inexcusable.

Movie: ***** DVD Quality: ***** DVD Extras: ***

Dramas about _Teenage Gays Coming Out Of The Closet!_ are so plentiful, they sometimes run together in my mind. "Edge of Seventeen" is an exception to that statement because it genuinely is an exceptional movie in every way. The screenplay by Todd Stephens is sensitive and true to life, or rather, many people's lives. It tells the story of Eric (Chris Stafford), a young man growing up in the small town of Sandusky, Ohio, who is just beginning to grapple with his sexual orientation. What is so refreshing about the script is that Eric is portrayed as neither a victim nor a hero; he's simply a kid on the cusp of adulthood who is trying to find himself. Eric is sometimes selfish and thoughtless; other times sweet and naive; occasionally manipulative; but generally a good guy ... in other words: completely human. That holds true of the other characters in the movie, including Eric's parents who love him dearly but aren't quite sure what to make of his fast-changing moods and appearance; his female best friend (Tina Holmes) who harbors deeper feelings for him; and his new gay "family" (headed by Lea DeLaria) who are fiercely supportive, yet sometimes insensitive to where he is at in terms of his coming out process. Thankfully, Stephens' screenplay remains true to itself right down to the final fadeout and doesn't cop out by trying to wrap everything up into a neat little package; at the end of the movie, there's a definite sense that these characters will continue to live, learn, make mistakes, and thrive. (Sequel, anyone?)

The entire cast is uniformly outstanding. Chris Stafford embodies Eric in all his complexity; his performance never strikes a false note. Tina Holmes is amazing as his confused female friend; more than once her face and vocal inflections reminded me of an extremely young Meryl Streep (a high compliment indeed). Stephanie McVay distinguishes herself as Eric's baffled mother, and Andersen Gabrych is fine as Eric's first same sex crush whose confident veneer covers a troubled heart. Perhaps best of all is comic Lea DeLaria, who turns in a warm and winning dramatic performance as the Earth Mother whose wisdom and understanding are always available to Eric, regardless of how hard he sometimes pushes her away.

The Strand DVD offers a flawless letterboxed transfer featuring outstanding audio and video. The somewhat sparse extras are limited to the Theatrical Trailers for "Edge of Seventeen" and five other feature films designed to appeal to LGBT audiences. It would be wonderful to have the additional benefit of cast and crew biographies and filmographies as a reasearch tool for the viewers who want to explore others works by the filmmakers, but this is a small complaint. Overall, this is truly a must-see film, one that is worthy of repeat viewings.