Edge of Seventeen (1998) directed by David Moreton

[reviews_and_ramblings]

A teenager copes with his sexuality on the last day of school in 1984. It shows him coping with being gay and being with friends.

Director: David Moreton

Writer: Todd Stephens

Release Date: 14 June 1998 (New York Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, USA)

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Storyline: A 17-year-old rediscovers his sexuality in this 1980s story about coming out and its social consequences. Eric (Chris Stafford) takes a job at an amusement park and meets Rod (Andersen Gabrych) -- but finds out too late that his crush just wants sex. He seeks consolation at the local gay bar, only to be used again. As he continues to question his sexual orientation, a female friend (Tina Holmes) volunteers to be his next partner.

Awards: 2000 GLAAD Media Award Nomination as Outstanding Film (Limited Release), GLAAD Media Awards
2000 Independent Spirit Award Nomination as Best Debut Performance to Chris Stafford, Independent Spirit Awards
1998 Audience Award as Outstanding Narrative Feature to David Moreton, L.A. Outfest
1998 Grand Jury Award as Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film to Chris Stafford, as Outstanding American Narrative Feature to David Moreton, as Outstanding Screenwriting to Todd Stephens, L.A. Outfest
1998 Audience Award as Best Feature to David Moreton, San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival

@IMDb
@Amazon: Edge of Seventeen (1995)
@Netflix
@Wolfe Video

 









Cast (in credits order)
Chris Stafford ... Eric
Tina Holmes ... Maggie
Andersen Gabrych ... Rod
Stephanie McVay ... Mom
Lea DeLaria ... Angie
John Eby ... Dad
Antonio Carriero ... Andy
Jason Lockhart ... Steve (as Jason Scheingross)
Tony Maietta ... Gregg
Jeff Fryer ... Jonathan
Kevin Joseph Kelly ... Chuckie (as Kevin J. Kelly)
Mark Gates ... Foodtown
Stevie Reese Desmond ... Ruby Rogers
Barbie Marie ... Frieda
Craig H. Shepherd ... Irate Customer (as Craig Shepherd)
Doug Million ... Security Guard
Clay Van Sickle ... High School Party Friend
Jason Griffith ... High School Party Friend
Jimmy Mack ... Bartender
Justin Leach ... Party Hunk
Jeffrey Abramson ... Dan McAllistair (as Jeff Abramson)
Don Mitri ... Teacher
Mike Roth ... Wrestling Jock
Adam Penton ... Joe Plonsky Jr.
Tal Ben-David ... Waitress
Dina Ansden ... Bitchy Girl
Karen Brooks ... Bitchy Girl
Shannon Constantine ... Bitchy Girl
Edd Martin ... Drag Queen
Gregg Long ... Sugar Daddy
Ryan Florio ... Boy Toy
Twiggy ... Marlene Dichtrich
Frank Klingshin ... Beer Guy (as Frank Klingshirn)
Dominic Carrion ... Miss Anita Mann
Khalid Abdelrasoul ... Grubber
Sally Law ... Grubber
Jarred J. Nichols ... Grubber
Jay Warshak ... Grubber
Diva Delaria-Foley ... Diva
Jesse Thompson-Adams ... Drag Atrocity (voice) (as Jesse Adams)
Carolyn Baeumler ... (voice)
April Foiles ... (voice)
Xan Garcia ... (voice)
Sara Hammerman ... (voice)
Samantha Haspel ... (voice)
Carl Hodson ... (voice)
Michael Medeco ... (voice)
Regan Urbanick ... (voice)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michael Medico ... (voice)
Joshua Elrod ... Rod's Roommate (uncredited)

     
Eric & Rod

Comments

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Looking at this movie I had a double "flash-back" epiphany: I was indead a teenager in the '80 and I had a similar experience as what happens in the movie in the '90 (of course I was a "Maggie" not Eric or Rod). Anyway, I can say without doubt that the movie felt realistic and it was not at all exaggerated. The story of Eric trying to understand himself and his feelings, with all the trouble this self-searching can bring along if it's done in an age when you are still so unsure of everything, is probably the ordinary discovery journey a teenager undertakes, gay, lesbian or heterosexual. The second point I like of the movie is that, even if the plot is realistic, it's also romantic. Sure, Eric is not so lucky with his first love, but how many of us can say the same? Rod is a necessary stop in Eric's travel towards adulthood and maybe in retrospective Eric will be happy to have met him. Eric is innocent and romantic, but also a little bit horny, and Rod is a college student who probably doesn't want to commit to anything serious yet. Sure Eric will suffer for this unrequited love, but nothing his teenager heart will not be able to bear. Edge of Seventeen is a story about a teenager in love, who happens to be gay and so probably he has some trouble more than his same age fellow teenagers.

[lab-jazz.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen this so I've added it to my movie hire queue. It sounds like a pleasant enough movie

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

It's a little "dated", but for sure is good and for once a story about teenagers that is not so tragic after all

[shadownyc.livejournal.com]

I watched this film a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. I thought they did justice to this coming-of-age story.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

yes, they did since it was realistic without being dramatic

[mondhellnacht.livejournal.com]

That movie is awesome! I love it. One of these days I'll buy it. XD

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

it's very tender and considering it came out (no pun intended) more than 10 years ago, it was also very ahead of its time.

[mondhellnacht.livejournal.com]

I know. :-) I want to watch it so badly, now.

[(Anonymous)]

Ah, memories, memories. :) I watched this movie when it came out waaaaaay back, and I saw it again maybe twice more before buying the DVD. I love it. It's very standard coming-out stuff, but the characters are so wonderful (especially Eric's mother).

And you really can't say no to watching Eric slowly morph into a New Waver.



Hayden

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Yes, Eric's evolution was at the same time tender and fun. And endearing.

[francy-m79.livejournal.com]

I saw this movie a few years ago... I don't remember much about it, but I remember liking it very much! Maybe it's time to watch it again! :p

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

The Italian title was a bit silly (Chiamami Boy George), but at least it means it arrived in Italy ;-)