I was pleasantly surprised to find that The Edge of Seventeen turned out to be a really good movie. It is a smart film with a great story, amazing writing and superb acting. Yeah, I know – pretty high praise from me.

Yes, this is a teen coming of age film and could easily have fallen into tired story lines and stereotypes but it didn’t. It was funny (albeit crass) and original.  I don’t use the term “funny” lightly.  It takes a lot to make me laugh… and this one had me laughing out loud repeatedly.

I thought this was going to be a chick flick, but it was much closer to Superbad with a female lead. The teen angst was palpable but not in the tired old way that adult filmmakers have portrayed it for years.  This is an updated version that feels very timely and true.  This film combines the sarcasm of today’s youths with their mannerisms and language, making it spot-on.

Hailee Steinfeld was absolutely great and Woody Harrelson gave one of his best performances.  These two really made the film. Another surprising find for me was Hayden Szeto – who is sure to be landing some quality roles in the next few years.

Written and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, you can be assured that you will be hearing more from her.  She knocked it out of the park with this one.

I am probably giving this an extra star more than it deserves just because I was so pleasantly surprised.

RATING 9 out of 10 social media, new media titan, chris doelle, fresh media works, http://www.freshmediaworks.comsocial media, new media titan, chris doelle, fresh media works, http://www.freshmediaworks.comsocial media, new media titan, chris doelle, fresh media works, http://www.freshmediaworks.comsocial media, new media titan, chris doelle, fresh media works, http://www.freshmediaworks.comsocial media, new media titan, chris doelle, fresh media works, http://www.freshmediaworks.comsocial media, new media titan, chris doelle, fresh media works, http://www.freshmediaworks.comsocial media, new media titan, chris doelle, fresh media works, http://www.freshmediaworks.comsocial media, new media titan, chris doelle, fresh media works, http://www.freshmediaworks.comsocial media, new media titan, chris doelle, fresh media works, http://www.freshmediaworks.com

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