Edge of Seventeen

Edge of Seventeen
by David Moreton

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Movie Reviews of Edge of Seventeen

Movie Review: A Riveting Portrayal of Coming Out, Set in the 1980's
Summary: 5 Stars

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.

Summary of Edge of Seventeen