REVIEW
What? Another coming out movie? Do filmmakers still have anything original to say about that? But Edge of Seventeen dusts off the coming out movie and has something original to say. Sexy, funny and sometimes sad, Edge tells the story of 17-year-old Eric (Stafford) in Sandusky, Ohio, and the trials of tribulations of his coming out in the summer of 1984. Eric finishes his junior year at high school and takes a summer job serving food at the local amusement park. He shares his work duties with best friend/sort of girlfriend Maggie (Holmes) and openly gay Rod (Gabrych). They flirt (all three) throughout the summer leading to a climactic party when Maggie and Eric are drunkenly making out on the sofa while Rod opens Eric's zipper and fools around. All the while this is happening Angie (the amazing Lea DeLaria), their supervisor at the amusement park looks on. She's a total dyke and leads Eric by the hand through the local gay spots.

Eric comes out to his mom in a tear-filled, very real scene and is rejected by the lovelorn Maggie. Several hot bedroom scenes, lots of kissing and some beautiful boys later Eric is a confirmed fag. DeLaria does a terrific job as guide. She throws her usual fast clips right and left, "Why do you fags all think I'm gay?" Maggie owns the local gay bar, "Universal Fruit and Nut Company". She concludes the film by singing a sultry version of "Blue Skies." The style and music of the 80's are crucial to the film. As Eric comes out he becomes more and more eccentric in his dressing and grooming habits. He dyes his hair several different colors and dresses like Boy George. The soundtrack includes songs from Bronski Beat, Flock of Seagulls, Thompson Twins and the Eurythmics. Although the film is a low-budget affair, it has been a winner because the emotions are real and raw, the film speaks truths, it doesn't preach and it's a totally entertaining.