Filmology Rating: 3.33 out of 4

High School junior Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld) has reached her limit. A few years ago her father died, home life with her mother and seemingly perfect brother aren’t great, and when her best friend starts dating her brother, she just can’t take it anymore. This is the story of Nadine and how she manages the awkward and difficult age of 17.

Really well made coming of age films are hard to come by. So often they fall back on the cliché crutches that help hobble the film along in hopes of appealing to the teenagers out there and score big in the box office. I was so pleased when Sing Street came out this past summer because that was one of the most original and well-made coming of age films that I have ever seen (if you haven’t seen it, then you need to!). I am very pleased to say that Edge of Seventeen, while not quite up to Sing Street level, is another fantastic coming of age story that offers a fresh spin on things.

This was a fantastic movie for two big reasons: The acting duo between Hailee Steinfeld and Woody Harrelson, and also how relatable this film is. Hailee Steinfeld is one of the most promising young actresses of our generation and Woody is true talent as well. Hailee at the age of 14 was nominated for an Oscar for her role in the True Grit remake and this role is right up there as well (Most of you might know her best for her music or her role in Pitch Perfect 2). She will for sure win some Teen Choice Awards but hopefully will be in the discussion for real awards as well because she deserves it. She perfectly captures what it is like to be a teenager. Woody Harrelson plays this awesome teacher that acts as a mentor and someone she can vent to. He was such a great character that adds a lot of great laughs and heartfelt moments along the way.

Being a teenager is not easy. With hormones being all crazy like, brains still in development, and everything seemingly being the most important thing ever, life is no cake walk. Hailee Steinfeld brings this to the screen perfectly. While not many of us might have dealt with everything that she deals with throughout this film, there will be at least something that we can all relate to. I did at least and when I did, it only sucked me into the film even more emotionally.

With this emotional factor comes a lot of amazing life lessons. Even though this film is rated R (sexual content, language and some drinking - all involving teens) this is a film that schools should really show. This is their life right now and a lot of them will be thinking, feeling, and experiencing the same things that she does. This movie was not only funny and warm hearted, but it was also very inspirational. This film will help reach out to a lot of people and let them know that even though you feel the walls crumbling in, even though you don't know what to do, everything will be ok. This is only a part of life and this too shall pass.

Not only was this a brilliant coming of age film that young adults and teens will love, but it is one that adults will love as well. It is so well written, directed, acted, and everything you want in a good film, that it is impossible to not like. This movie is for sure worth both your time and money and will for sure be remembered for a long time.

Rating: See It

-Nick