Edge of Seventeen is a much better film than Get Real. It is also
funnier. This film's teenager and his struggle with being gay was
portrayed sympathetically without being sentimental. Or as
sentimental I should say. There is still plenty of tugging at the
heartstrings in this film.Set in the mid-eighties, the film is a hoot in the costume
department. The most fortunate thing for today's teens, gay and
straight, is better fashions are available.
The message of sex for sex's sake and promiscuity as being
damaging is problamatic. The protagonist fell in love at the drop
of a hat then struggled with his pain when he discovered he was
just being used for a good time. I think the problem is that he
fell in love too quickly and thoughtlessly not that his partners
were just out for a good time.
Finally, I just have one teeny tiny problem with the film. It is
not possible to close a bar in Sandusky, drive to Columbus, loose
your cherry and be back in Sandusky in time for breakfast. Other
than that, I highly recommend this film. A great look at growing
up gay in 1984.
...
And very realisticly
portrayed with lots of shades of grey, unlike the black and white
situation in Get Real. But I was a little bothered by what I
interpreted as a denunciation of promiscuity. How else does one
come to terms with that confusion unless one experiments?
Supposedly this film was more than a little autobiographical. I
would submit that it is not common to meet someone in a bar, fall
instantly in love and embark on a long lasting (monogamous?)relationship.
Uncommon, but evidently not impossible.
It was one of the more erotic love scenes I have seen in awhile.
And for a minute there, I thought it was going where no
mainstream film has gone before. But that fade to black came just
in a nick of time.
The rim job scene was hilarious. Something like that actually
happened to me. I not only was unaware that people did such
things, I was abruptly and verrrrry pleasantly surprised.
