There are no cookie-cutter characters in Kelly Fremon Craig’s directorial debut, “The Edge Of Seventeen.” A smart, whimsical, and multidimensional film that builds through relationships while slowly uncovering the darker realities of life. Much of this is attributed to Hailee Steinfeld as our central eyes and ears of the story playing Nadine. An awkward teen in the midst of an identity crisis struggling to find purpose within herself. It doesn’t help she has to deal with a mom that doesn’t understand her (Kyra Sedgwick) and a brother (Blake Jenner) that is dating her best friend (Haley Lu Richardson). “The Edge Of Seventeen” unfolds like a symphony of small humiliations for Nadine, and while most of these interactions will feel vaguely familiar to anyone that’s ever gone through the motions. The dynamite performance of Steinfeld in the lead role makes the gamble feel refreshingly new. Woody Harrelson has a terrific supporting role as a low-grade history professor that gives back the sarcasm as quickly as he deals it, which makes for a heaping of hilarious one-liners. “Seventeen,” though formulaic head to toe, has a subtle sweetness that is filled with grace, the movie takes the risk of playing it sincere and genuine - and the risk pays off. B+
