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Light House Shines looks at EDGE OF SEVENTEEN!
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
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Jun 15, 1999 3:15:41 AM CDT
How the hell does Light House Shines get into so many things
by paragonian
He must be like one of those professional sneaker guys that try to sneak into every big event, like that guy that got arrested at the Academy Awards. I usually turn off when I hear the words "gay film" but this sounds surprisingly interesting, I'll keep a look out.
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Just last night I caught a screening of EOS at the Cedar Lee here in Cleveland(not a prerelease, so evidently it has a limited release now), purely on a whim and knowing nothing about it. I was really impressed. The first half hour had me worried- what with the heavy 80's soundtrack (already becoming a cliche') and the Dawsons Creek-style plot arch. But after the story shuttles you through the set-up it quickly gets to the meat of things and blossoms into a frighteningly honest film. Its more than a "sob story" gay movie. Its incredibly balanced in the handling of its subject matter and often a critical look at homosexual behavior without soft-peddling anything. Its the kind of coming of age movie that used to only come from Europe...so glad to see someone state-side finally get it right. Although I would love to tell everyone to run out and see it- i must admit, that it is not for everyone. Just because you are comfortable with Rupert Everett singing showtunes it doesn't neccessarily follow that you will be able to comfortably sit-through EOS. But if you've ever felt alone or alienated or misunderstood and you are an intelligent and worldly filmgoer (as I'm assuming most AIKN readers are)- seek this film out by all means. Thank God for theatres like the Cedar Lee in C'land. If you have a art-house theatre in your city- visit it often and keep the demand for films like this high.
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Aren't people tired of the cliched gay teen coming out movie yet?
1) Always a middle-class young, slim, cute white character. Why are the overweight, or the ugly, or the black, or Latino, or the lesbian teenagers never represented; or when they are, mocked?
2) Why do gay films treat gay sexuality like it is a beautiful gift that, if given to us by the right person, will make us happy forever? There is always "sadness" until the gay character falls in "love" with the "right" guy. This is ridiculous.
3) Why does the "Maternal Lesbian" never have a girlfriend? Why does she never have anything better to do than entertain and mother pathetic gay men?
4) Why is there always a "love" and "sex" dichotomy, where people who want sex are "bad" and people who want love are "good"?
5) Why do these movies romanticize the gay experience, by providing older gay men who become "family" to the young gay man. Since when did any young gay man you know have a "family" of older gay men?
6) And on and on and on and on. These are racist, false, sexist, misogynous films, dishonest about class and politics as well. Time for a radical, revolutionary gay filmmaker to come along! And his name isn't Gregg Araki!
And who is this LIGHT SHINES moron? He can't even write a goddam complete sentence! He's just like Harry! He's a goddam moron!
Chris -
I am in agreement on some of the things you said about the state of gay cinema, in particular as related to EOS. But some of the things that concern you are problems with straight films (ie. love stories about straight people) as well. Ugly, multi-cultural protagonists are hard to come by in ANY film- indie included. I'm not saying that this is okay...but at the same time, I feel that EOS gets so many things right that I can appreciate it as an honest portrait of growing up gay. You're right, I think, about the maternal lesbian character- a rather itchy over-used cliche'- but where sex and love are concerned, I think EOS is dead-on. At that age, I do believe there to be a true distinction between the wiles of sex and the comforts of love...Lucky is the teen who can find the conditions for a relationship where both meet. Also, I don't think there were any evil gay men in this film- just characters with different motivations. If you think the stereotypical gay bar "cruiser" doesn't exist- you're wrong. Nor do I believe that this movie treats "gayness" as a beautiful gift- I can't imagine this movie making any sexually confused teen eager to begin a life as a homosexual. If any thing I could see it possibly having the opposite effect. There is no spit-shined gloss to the thematics of this movie. The pain and confusion ring true- to me anyway. In conclusion- you're also right about Greg Araki...they should really stop giving him money to make the shock-value crap he has been cranking out for the past few years.
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In response to some of the negative things said about this film, I feel
that I have to add my two cents worth. Since I have a slightly different
take on the film as a whole, being able to meet and talk briefly with both
the writer and the director at the after party.
For the film Edge of Seventeen is not some happy go lucky gay coming out
free for all, as some of you bitterly suggested. Since the character of
Eric was not a happy camper as it were, particularly since his sexuality
was a cause of great concern as well as confusion for him throughout the
majority of the film. Before and after he met and slept with Rod, who he
believed he loved and was loved back by, only to be ultimately rejected.
Thus making Edge of Seventeen a bitter sweet coming out/coming of age
story, and not as one sided or cliched as an earlier commentator
suggested. For maybe you weren't aware, but this film was based on an
actual persons life. Who still to this day looks an awful lot like his on
screen counterpart (despite being a good 10 years older), especially his
manner of dress.
So to complain about a movie based on someone's life, saying it had
too many middle class, happy home, beautiful white people in it?! When it
was someone's actual adolescence, is kind of ludicrous if you think about
it. Plus this was a film after all, and I would think you would simply be
happy that more and more people or actual big name studios are actually
making gay cinema...Good gay cinema in fact, as this was a great film,
regardless of the subject matter or unrealistic areas s you put it. I mean
wouldn't you prefer that homosexuality was portrayed as something positive
instead of something negative, as the vast majority of the world still
believes homosexuality to be even to this day?!
For a film similar to Edge of Seventeen will do a lot more good in terms
of helping people possibly coming out of the closet or erase negative
stereotypes, than let's say another film where being gay was portrayed a
little less flatteringly ( I wish I could give a better example, but I
cannot think of anything off the top of my head). Even if said films only
succeeded in getting the general populace used to the idea that there are
a whole bunch of individuals out there who don't share the same lifestyle
as everyone else. As that has got o be something positive that even you
can agree to, am I right?! Either way, the film is still good. Regardless
of it's minor flaws, as no films will appeal to everyone, and/or for the
exact same reason.
Sincerely,
Light House Shines
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The purpose of cinema is not to make things "easier" for the gay boy who is "coming out" and even if it were, telling a FALSE, DISHONEST story is not the way to make anything "easier." By constructing the coming out narrative as a harmless, quick process of fear and trembling followed by hot sex followed by true love is not at all the script most gay teenagers live out. There's often drugs, alcohol, self-abuse, violence, exploitation, etc. I am not saying Mr. Edge of Seventeen doesn't imagine he "lived" his movie -- I'm sure he does imagine it, but as we know, Movies Are Not Real Life, and he's certainly repressing a lot of memories/feelings/events that don't fit into the commodified coming out tale that is designed to attract GAY WHITE MEN to the theatres, given the story's innocence (emotional fantasy) and prurience (sexual fantasy). The real reason there are no black characters, or unattractive characters, or complex women characters, is that THERE IS NO MARKET FOR IT. GAY WHITE MEN DON'T WANT TO SEE IT. * * * Finally, the problem with the internet is that every idiot with an opinion -- would that they had a dictionary instead -- gets to spout off as though he knows something. Mr. Light House, you lack any critical thinking skills, you cannot contextualize or historicize either real life experience or filmed representations. It's nice to know that, like Harry, you're just a suck up who always wanted to be famous -- now I know what I can do with your opinions. Go see screenings, go chat with ambitious, dishonest, anti-intellectual over-privileged filmmakers all you want. Like Harry, throw your fat ass around and enjoy pretending you're important to someone, anyone, in this world. But you won't find your pain eased at the movies, or eased by sucking up. * * * If you want to learn something about film, try reading ARMOND WHITE in the NEW YORK PRESS. Peace. Chris.
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I hate coming out films. They are usually pretentiouslly, deludedly melodramatic fluff crap stories that give limp lip service to the conservative queer crowd, in LA summed up as WEHO culture. EOS was a very silly film at points, but I never felt the flick bought its own propraganda. This is one from the heart, and the very scenes that Lighthouse expounds on are quite brilliantly realized through excellent acting, writing, directing, and production design. All of the scenes with Eric and Maggie have an amazingly true feel to them, and the mother character was a refreshingly real, unglamorous screen mom as well. Hey Creepy or Sleepy or whoever the fuck you are - have you even seen this film? Stop talking out of your asshole you insipid fop of bitterness. This is a film to be commended, someone finally got it right. I would have to say more so than any other genre, gay films often feature outcast types in lead roles of all races and sizes. You need to get out and expand your filmic reference bud. Just because there has been a recent spat of white boy gay pretty teen flicks doesn't define the genre, and why knock the one film that works? I brought my sister and some straight friends to EOS and we all loved it largely because of the time period - anyone who was in high school in the early 80's will laugh at all the pop culture references. They really nailed the details. While I love the coming out to mother scene and the next morning with Maggie scene, I think my favorite is when he's just made a fool out of himself dancing like a waver fag with all the oppressively straight soc's and jocks and potheads at a basement party, and he escapes to his first gay bar and you can literally see how he finally fits in here. Gorgeous movie.
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