Here's another LIGHT HOUSE SHINES review, this time of a small indie film. Read on and see what you think....
EDGE OF SEVENTEEN REVIEW:
The critically acclaimed small budget independent film Edge of
Seventeen, is a movie I have been wanting to see for a long time
now. Ever since I missed my first opportunity to see this extremely well
done film at a local film festival here in the Los Angeles area. Mainly
due to a clerical snafu with my comp tickets, still a source of
bitterness to this day. Though as luck would have it, not only did I
get to see a special advance screening of this film with the writer and
director in attendance. I was also able to attend the post screening
party, which resulted in a few cool freebees from the film. Like
some theatrical posters and the film's hopping soundtrack, which has to be
one of the best soundtracks I have ever heard for any film (Especially if
you are an 80's music fan like myself). As Edge of Seventeen takes
place entirely in the early 80's, in the small sleepy town of Sandusky,
Ohio. The home town of the film's writer, Todd Stephens, whose actual
adolescence the film is based upon. Which in turn is probably one of the
saddest and most genuinely touching films I have ever seen in my movie
going career, definitely of all the gay themed or gay friendly films I
have seen.
As you really do feel a genuine sympathy for the film's characters, in
spite of the differences their lives may have have compared to yours or
mine. As almost everyone in this film has been richly drawn and carefully
sculpted. Especially the film's main character Eric, masterfully executed
by an extremely young and talented Chris Stafford. Who flawlessly ran his
characters entire emotional gambit, from naive small town boy
searching for something he hasn't even yet identified. All
the way to the emotionally mature and secure individual he was
destined to become at the films conclusion. With a little help from his
friends and peers, like his best friend Maggie. An amazing Tina Holmes
playing a refreshingly innocent character, desperately in love with Eric.
Unaware that he is falling in love with Rod (a smarmy Andersen Gabrych). A
fellow co worker at a local amusement park eatery that they all have
summer jobs at. Who callusly seduces Eric simply because his can, thus
Eric is haphazardly initiated into the world of gay sex (This part of the
film was actually handled very well). Only to subsequently be left without
a guide, as Rod fucks him one last time. Both literally and figuratively,
leaving a confused Eric to deal with the emotional repercussions. Since
all Eric was ever looking for, was what I think we are all looking for, on
one level or another. Love, acceptance and respect, wondrous things that
some of us unfortunately never find. No matter what our individual
situations or (in the case of Eric) sexual orientations maybe, or how hard
we happen to look for that special someone. For such is the nature of
love, as Eric sadly had to find out on his own.
Despite the love and support Eric finds in the form of his surrogate
family at a local gay bar, run by the scene stealing Lea Delaria (a well
known lesbian/comedian in some circles). Whose matriarchal character
Angie offers both love and wisdom with every word of advice she
tenderly gives Eric on his quest of self discovery and acceptance. Which
naturally takes a few wrong turns during the course of the film, as
demonstrated during one particularly powerfull scene. The morning after a
botched attempt at a straight existence by sleeping with his best friend
Maggie, who couldn't be happier. Only later to be completely destroyed
upon seeing Eric's tear filled eyes, hearing him say, I'm sorry,
again and again. Upon his final realization that he was always truly gay,
and no matter how many women he sleeps with, it's not going to change
anything. And all his faux heterosexual posturing did was to hurt one of
his dearest friends, probably irrevocably as Maggie is sadly not seen
again after this point ( I wasn't able to ask the writer if there
indeed was a real Maggie in his teenage life and if he actually ever
talked to her again or if she eventually forgave him). All of which leads
up to the film's emotional climax, a scene that has widely been considered
it's crowing gem. The confrontation between Eric and his Mother
(sympathetically played by Stephanie McVay). Who has deduced from her
son's erratic change in dress and overall covertness, that something is
seriously amiss in his life. That Eric is either unwilling or unable to
confide in her, mainly the fact that he is gay. Something he painfully
confesses to his Mother when a matchbook to the gay club he has been
frequenting is discovered in his jacket pocket, who cannot even face him.
Thus the infamous, 'Mom please look at me' scene in played out, pulling
all the appropriate heart strings. Though for me the much more emotionally
powerful scene is still the morning after Eric mistakenly makes love to
Maggie, albeit both scenes make for really good cinema regardless.
Regrettably none of this really matters, for despite the fact that
this wonderfully charming film is finally finding it's way into
Theatres. Almost no one other than true movie buffs or outside the
gay movie going populace will ever see this film, simply because it is a
gay film. A significantly negative enough sigma to ward away most average
movie goers, which really is shame. Considering that some of the best
films released in the past year or so have had strong to moderate gay
themes to them, such as The Opposite of Sex, Get Real,
My Best Friend's Wedding and the phenomenal Gods and
Monster. All of which were very enjoyable and very well written works
of cinema, in spite of their respective sexual content or stance. Just like
Edge of Seventeen will prove itself to be, if only people will go
out and see it.
As always, if you have any questions or comments about anything I have
just said or written about. Please feel to email me at
lighthouseshines@hotmail.com and someone will get back to you, thanks!
Sincerely,
Light House Shines
