The Edge of Seventeen Parent Guide

In an award worthy performance Hailee Steinfeld plays Nadine, a frumpy high school junior locked into a very narrow perspective of life. From the outside, the teen could easily be accused of being narcissistic, angsty and skanky. Yet this coming-of-age story looks beyond appearances and explores the many factors that have contributed to her difficult persona.

One of two children, Nadine’s mother Mona (Kyra Sedgwick) has always favored her older son Darian (Blake Jenner). Obsessed with her own polished image, it seems Mona just couldn’t come to terms with her tussle-haired daughter, whereas Darian’s handsome charm fulfilled her parental expectations. Her father, Tom (Eric Keenleyside), sensed the situation and tried to compensate by offering her extra love, compassion and a fun escape on those tough days. But while Nadine was finishing middle school, Tom succumbed to a heart attack and passed away.

Left with a shortage of support and self-worth, Nadine’s only friend is Krista (Haley Lu Richardson), another loner she met during her elementary years. However, that bond is about to be tested too.

It happens when Mona announces she’s going away for the weekend with a dentist. At first thrilled with the idea of having the house to themselves, Nadine and Krista are soon dancing up a storm, eating anything they desire and guzzling down a bottle of booze. Darian also takes advantage of the situation by inviting some guys over to swim in the pool. The next morning as Nadine crawls out of the bathroom where she passed out earlier, she discovers Darian and Krista in bed together. Their unexpected alliance leaves Nadine feeling completely betrayed and a little suicidal.

With no one else to turn to, Nadine shows up in the classroom of her English teacher, Mr. Bruner (Woody Harrelson). While the middle-aged educator could be described as somewhat harsh and sarcastic, he has listened to the student’s laments before. And with the present circumstances being what they are, he suddenly becomes the only adult role model the girl can turn to for support.

Despite being marketed as a female youth drama (at our screening, the studio rep requested opinions specifically from the women in the audience), The Edge of Seventeen presents themes and lessons that are of equal importance to males and adults. These include the dangers of sexting, the silliness of believing you have to choose between two friends and the oft observed problem of single parents behaving like teenagers. In fact, if there’s a core message to this film, it is the need for parents to parent, rather than trying to be their children’s buddy. This is particularly evident as we observe Mona’s implied approval of having Krista regularly sleeping over in Darian’s bed.

The teen sexual behavior, along with other scenes involving detailed sexual discussions, and frequent profanities (including about a dozen sexual expletives), may leave some parents convinced there is too much edge in this movie. Still, for families reeling from loss or other traumatic events, the script may provide emotional depictions that ring with sincerity.

For parents with teens wanting to view this content heavy film, the best advice would be to go with them. Your life experience will be a great guide as they look at the script’s happy ending, and consider the possible consequences for the characters’ actions, which are ignored or not addressed. Perhaps the most valuable outcome of this movie may be an opportunity to discuss with your own children the challenges they may be experiencing as they try to navigate the adolescent years without going over the edge.

About author

Rod Gustafson

Rod Gustafson has worked in various media industries since 1977. He founded Parent Previews in 1993, and today continues to write and broadcast the reviews in newspapers, on radio and (of course) on the Internet. His efforts also include writing and researching media in all its forms and observing how it effects society and culture. He and his wife Donna have four children.