The Edge of Seventeen - Interviews

The Edge of Seventeen is  a new coming-of-age movie in the vein of Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club.

Everyone knows that growing up is hard, and life is no easier for high school junior Nadine, who is already at peak awkwardness when her all-star older brother Darian starts dating her best friend Krista. All at once, Nadine feels more alone than ever, until the unexpected friendship of a thoughtful boy gives her a glimmer of hope that things just might not be so terrible after all. 

The film's lead Nadine is played beautifully by actress Hailee Steinfeld. Nadine is an eccentric teen who has always been an unpopular outsider, living with her easily distracted single mom and her older brother Darian (Blake Jenner), who is handsome, athletic and the high school’s classic big man on campus.

Nadine’s best and pretty much only pal is longtime best friend Krista, (Hailey Lu Richardson) with whom she has forged a seemingly unbreakable bond — until Krista falls for and begins dating Nadine’s brother. Then, things get weird and complicated.

Steinfeld who burst onto the scene when she was 13 snared an Oscar nomination for her role in “True Grit.” She went to a traditional school until the sixth grade but began home schooling when acting started to take over her life. Steinfeld says that even though she was home-schooled throughout high school she could very much relate to her character Nadine and all of the angst she was going through.

Writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig's makes her debut with the film and after seeing it you will understand why she has a bright future making films in Hollywood. It is produced by veteran writer/director/producer James L. Brooks who has given us such gems as, As Good As it Gets and of course, The Simpsons. 

The Edge of Seventeen also stars Kyra Sedgwick as Nadine’s well-meaning but completely ineffective mother, Woody Harrelson as Nadine’s History teacher, mentor and reluctant sounding board and newcomer (AND one to watch) Hayden Szeto. 

I spoke with Hailee Steinfeld, Kelly Fremon Craig, James L. Brooks, Blake Jenner, Haily Lu Richardson and Hayden Szeto during the Toronto International Film Festival. 

CLICK BELOW to watch the interviews.

The Edge of Seventeen hits theatres on November 18th.