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Summary: Growing up gay in the 80's
Review: No film in the last year has stayed on my conciousness as much as Edge of Seventeen. This movie not only made me feel nastalgic, but was as close as anyone could ever get to my life growing up. I found a lot of parallels in this movie. The acting was fantastic...and most of all, the film is quite sexy!
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Summary: Classy 'coming out' drama
Review: 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" (1998), 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. Strand Releasing's non-anamorphic DVD is framed at approximately 1.85:1 and runs 102m 44s. The two-channel stereo sound provides a constant stream of 80s music that infuses the film with much of its energy and the picture quality is fine, though the film's technical gloss can't disguise Moreton's somewhat flat visual style. Gay stories like this one are always worth telling, but doesn't anyone working in this subgenre know how to compose images for the Big Screen anymore? The disc is region-free, but hasn't been captioned. Extras include a bunch of trailers for other Strand releases, including this one.
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Summary: An Honest,Real Story
Review: In the summer of 1999, 3 gay drama films were released, "Get Real", "Trick" and "Edge of Seventeen". By far Edge of Seventeen is the BEST of the lot. It is an honest and real story that deals with the turbulent times of a gay youth's "coming out" experiance that is based on real life. The story is delivered with truth , sensitivity and frankness. The acting is wonderful, especially by Chris Stafford as Eric Hunter and Lea deLaria as Angie. A MUST for anyone who wants to see honesty and truth in a gay film, not just another "fairy tale".
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Summary: i remember those days
Review: the first time i saw this movie i couldn't believe the similarities it had to my own experiences growing up gay in the eighties. the uncertainties, the confusion, the denial, the inabliity to believe in oneself. i loved the fact that this film had no actors i had ever seen before and that they pulled it off so well: almost all of the acting was very believable. i even thought the ending was very good, leaving the story up in the air, which is the way many things seem when one's a teenager. to have the story wrap up neatly at the end would've been out of touch. i highly recommend this movie. you don't have to have grown up in the eighties to relate to much of this, but the music and clothes are from this era and this creates an added relevance.
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Summary: Don't Believe the Critics
Review: 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!
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Summary: 1980's Flashback
Review: This film, to me at lease, was not just about dealing with being a gay teenager, is was about life in the 80's. Everything to the tacky taste in style to Madonna to even portable tape players. As a film dealing with gay teenage life it is pefect. It deals with boyfriends, fake girlfriends, coming out, dance clubs, and pain. Anyone who is gay, grew in the 1980's, likes a good inde film or was a teenager will really enjoy this film.
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Summary: A must
Review: This movie is a must for your gay movie collection. A very moving story about the coming out experience. Great performances even if the storyline is a little weak, nontheless well worth buying. Definately a movie you can watch again and again. The movie deals with the hope and rejection of the whole coming out experience.
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Summary: A great gay-coming of age comedy/drama
Review: I enjoyed this film so much that I saw it three times at the theater. The film centers around Eric, a typical seventeen year old that discovers he's gay due to an attraction that he has for a fellow co-worker named Rod. This attraction leads Eric on a journey of self-discovery and sexual awakening. Sometimes funny and sometimes poignant. This film realistically captures one young man's coming-out experience. What else can I say? This is a great film.
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Summary: Great Memories!
Review: Great movie! It brought back memories of what it was like growing up as a gay teenager in the 80s! I recommend this to any gay man who came of age in the 1980s and wants to relate!
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Summary: Excellent film about ordinarily hackneyed topic
Review: Edge of Seventeen is relentless in its honest portrayal of a teenage boy in Sandusky, Ohio, growing up gay in the early 80s. Most coming out stories of today (including a rather mediocre film that was released about the same time) are very unoriginal, offering nothing new on the topic, and often don't face uncomfortable issues well. Edge of Seventeen does so quite powerfully. The actors are brilliant (Lea Delaria is superb), the script funny and sad, and the pace is good. I was transfixed the whole time. This DVD is definitely worth having.
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