High school can be amazing, it can be terrifying, or, as STX Entertainment’s new film The Edge of Seventeen would describe, it can be a complete rollercoaster.
The Edge of Seventeen, directed and written by Kelly Fremon Craig, is about the problems that socially awkward, seventeen-year-old Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld) faces throughout her time in high school. The movie revolves around her main issue of her best friend, Krista (Haley Lu Richardson), dating her brother, Darian (Blake Jenner). As the plot thickens, several underlying subplots arise along with other issues Nadine faces.
Now, although the amount of issues she has is almost comical, how many of them are faced by actual high school students? Perhaps not all of them.
#1: Krista and Darian begin dating
While this is the main issue being tackled, it isn’t a common occurrence in most high school students’ lives. One does not go into high school and simply expect their best friend will begin dating their sibling. It could very possibly happen, but it is a very rare scenario. It fits perfectly as a plot for the movie, and, in this case, the unrealistic aspect of it aids in the movie’s success.
#2: Nadine’s crush on Nick
Nadine suffers from a problem that almost every high schooler will go through during their four years: She has an insanely large crush on the guy who seems flawless. As most similar situations pan out in other movies, he winds up being completely different than she had imagined. Regardless, most students can relate to this with their own embarrassing crushes. This subplot seemed near essential to add to Nadine’s story.
#3: Nadine and Darian’s sibling rivalry
This isn’t necessarily an issue that first presents itself in high school, but that’s when it begins to intensify. For Nadine, her and Darian have been in a competition to outdo each other forever, but when it becomes a war over something personal, such as Krista, it causes real damage to their relationship. The majority of high schoolers can agree that they have been put in this circumstance as well. Nadine and Darian portray this perfectly throughout their interactions and dialogue.
#4: Nadine’s constant bickering with her mom
High school can be a very stressful time, especially with the workload provided. As a result, humans naturally tend to act irrationally, which could easily involve lashing out at a parent. Nadine’s relationship with her mom is very familiar to most students’, and it continues to provide support in strengthening the storyline. In the end, the natural bond between parent and child prevails.
#5: Nadine and Erwin’s awkward relationship
Nadine and her classmate Erwin Kim (Hayden Szeto) might as well win the award for most awkward interactions… ever. Although, they certainly aren’t the first to have a relationship like this. Teen relationships can always be a bit uncomfortable, especially when it’s your first one. All high schoolers have experienced this at one time or another, just as Nadine does. Among all the other tragic events that are occurring, Nadine and Erwin provide a much needed form of comic relief.
Ultimately, The Edge of Seventeen is a fine film that ultimately captures the essence of teenage life. If you get a chance, go and see it, and let us know what you think in the comments below!