Edge of Seventeen

May. 14,1998      R
Rating:
6.8
Trailer Synopsis Cast

1984, Sandusky, Ohio. A naive 17-year-old navigates heartbreak and self-expression as he explores his sexuality.

Chris Stafford as  Eric Hunter
Tina Holmes as  Maggie
Andersen Gabrych as  Rod
Stephanie McVay as  Bonnie Hunter
Lea DeLaria as  Angie
Jason Lockhart as  Steve
Tony Maietta as  Gregg
Kevin Joseph Kelly as  Chuckie
Justin Leach as  Party Hunk

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Reviews

FuzzyTagz
1998/05/14

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

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BeSummers
1998/05/15

Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

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Robert Joyner
1998/05/16

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

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Cristal
1998/05/17

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

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Franco-LA
1998/05/18

The better things about this movie were some of the performances (I would agree that Tina Holmes as Maggie was one of the best, a proved rationale for the reason that she, among all the principals, has the far larger list of credits), but the plot had many weak moments, and many predictable ones (such as the mother waiting all night for the boy to come home) and some unrealistic ones (that the father would be either oblivious, uncaring or unconcerned about his son's dress, demeanor, or potential homosexual. This would not be a very realistic response for a father in a small Midwest town in 1984, particularly over an 17 year old son and the older son at that. While predictable that the Maggie character would not merely be the best friend of the gay lead but also be in love with him, this was played true to life for the most part and among the better parts of the movie. What would not be as plausible would be that she would be so in love and so enamored that she wouldn't question the boy's sexuality either, until she saw him actually kissing someone. Nor would it be realistic that they would have their tearful meeting in her bedroom well before the "shock" of the kiss in a gay bar, a tearful meeting during which he would confess to having fooled around with an older gay boy, and that she would be forgiving, then go ballistic over a fully clothed kiss on the dance floor where the two men were not even doing anything like grinding into one another.I would also agree that the movie has a good point in not wrapping up all the resolutions at the end: does he go to New York, does the mother deal with his homosexuality or not, how does the father react, what happens with his childhood friend, Maggie, etc. However, contrary to what someone else note, the filmmakers did go for a feel good happy ending in the bar scene, more so underlined because they dragged an older, Ohio State boy (the Jonathan character) back to a bar on coincidentally the same night that Eric finally decided to reappear. It would have been sufficient to have the Lea Delaria dedication and the gay boy be happy, but the filmmakers obviously had to add the possibility of true love on top.As for the music, I do agree the soundtrack could have been so much better. This was no so much New Wave as it was Top 40 80s music with some GLARING omissions (Depeche Mode), Cars by Gary Numan, the Human League, ABC, Soft Cell's Tainted Love, and the most glaring omission of all was absolutely no Eurthymics music on the soundtrack, in his bedroom or the gay bar. If they couldn't get permission for their music or afford the rights, REWRITE THE DAMN screenplay and use a different tee!!!

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amy j
1998/05/19

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.

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revelinit
1998/05/20

Can't relate to Sixteen Candles? or Pretty In Pink? Well, here is your movie. A bit racier than a John Hughes film, but more REAL. No dream hunks (Michael Schoeffling mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm), no grand gestures, and no wacky sidekicks.Sure, the characters are a bit "stereotypical", but remember back to when you first came out, didn't they all seem like stereotypes? Weren't the only people you KNEW were gay the ones that were OBVIOUSLY gay?This movie captures the angst and the uncertainty perfectly. And those of us who were in high school then, we can relate to how hard being labeled the "Queer" was. These kids all do a great job of acting these parts. Awkward girl with a crush on a gay guy, gay guy trying to figure out why he isn't straight, and the cast of other "Misfits" who befriend the gay guy and show him the "ropes". Don't forget the predatory gay men who take advantage, and the Mother who just wants to "understand" and be there for him.If you were ever a teenager coming to terms with who you are, this movie will speak to you. Like they have read your mind. I don't think enough honor has been paid to whomever wrote this movie. I am amazed to see someone hit the nail that directly on the head. Worth the watch for any gay person (especially boys). You are not alone!!

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Erwino Ouwerkerk
1998/05/21

I bought the movie because of it's gay theme and because it was so much praised here on IMDb. Someone even called it 'The story of his live,' others mentioned the 'great' story, acting and directing. I must come from a whole different planet as I didn't find any of it in the movie. The story is about a boy discovering his feelings for other boys. Big deal. The rest of the movie you see the boy leading a very superficial life restrained from anything that is worth repeating here, leave alone going to see the movie for. No intellectual thoughts, no depth in feelings of love, nor those of friendship or fear or whatever. The boy hardly feels anything it seems. His feelings probably keep up with the very little he has in mind. Just as the one who wrote the story. It might have been a nice and spectacular thing if it would have been 1950. But it is not. If you like nice movies about coming of age and being gay, you better see 'Fucking Amal,' 'Beautiful thing' or 'But I'm a cheerleader.'

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