Nadine’s behavior may be irrational, but at every point it’s understandable, and the movie finds drama in the everyday, without ever resorting to the unusual or sensational. Most of “The Edge of Seventeen” takes place over a handful of days, as Nadine reacts to the change in circumstances and goes into a tailspin. In going out with Krista, it’s as if the brother is snatching from her the only thing Nadine has that is hers. Her brother is popular in school, and he’s popular in the household, the favorite of their mother (Kyra Sedgwick). This presents a big problem for lots of reasons, only some of which are conscious. Then something simple happens that upends Nadine’s world: Krista enters into a relationship with Nadine’s older brother ( Blake Jenner). Such odd balances in power are often at the heart of lifelong friendships. And yet Nadine needs Krista a bit more than Krista needs Nadine. She is the prime mover in everything they do. The filmmaker captures a nice dynamic we don’t often see in movies, though we can recognize it from life. Her one sure hold on emotional security is her friendship with Krista ( Haley Lu Richardson), who is as calm and reflective as Nadine is erratic. She comes off as assertive, but says things like, “I heard my voice in a voice mail - how can anyone stand me?” She has the makings of a terrific woman, but she is miserable as a teenager, and her family situation isn’t great, either.
Nadine ( Hailee Steinfeld) is profane and loquacious, outgoing and yet insecure, needlessly cynical and inappropriately romantic. Written and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, making her feature film debut, the movie presents us with a very distinct character, not an EveryTeenager, but someone specific, edgy and interesting.
It’s far from the usual thing - and better than the usual thing. But while “The Edge of Seventeen” does deliver on the promise of being funny, it’s mostly dead serious and deserving of respect and attention. This image released by STX Films shows Hailee Steinfeld, left, and Haley Lu Richardson in a scene from "The Edge of Seventeen." (Murray Close/STX Films via AP) Murray Close/Associated PressĪnyone looking casually at the advertisements and coming attractions for “The Edge of Seventeen” might easily come away expecting something typical - a standard entry in the coming-of-age comedy genre.
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