‘The Edge of Seventeen’: a movie about loving yourself

Valentine’s Day is usually about celebrating the love you may share with a significant other, but we should also recognize the importance of showing self-love too!

“The Edge of Seventeen” is a coming-of-age film that follows 17-year-old Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld) as she navigates her tumultuous journey as an awkward high school student. It doesn’t help that she lives in the shadow of her older brother Darian (Blake Jenner), who is the epitome of someone who peaked in high school.

But when Nadine finds out that Darian is dating Krista (Haley Lu Richardson), her best and only friend since kindergarten, her whole world gets turned upside down and she feels completely alone.

During this period, Nadine learns to build more friendships, cope with her trauma and most importantly, love herself. In all honesty, Nadine does seem like an insufferable person to be around since she is constantly feeling sorry for herself. However, the resolution of her character is a touching ending that will warm your heart.

Along with Nadine’s character arc, she is able to break out of her shell and look past all of the negativity in her life. Because at the end of the day, most of the time, life doesn’t go as planned. 

Whether it’s the emotionally compelling performances from Hailee Steinfeld, the dark humor or the lively characters, there is something about this movie that captivates me right from the beginning.  

While this may not be your typical rom-com, “The Edge of Seventeen” is a more realistic portrayal of the struggles of growing up and the uncomfortable and awkward phases of adolescents in general. Learning and growing to become more comfortable in our own skin is something everyone can relate to.

So no matter who you’re spending Valentine’s Day with this year, add “The Edge of Seventeen” to your watchlist and remember to be kind and loving to yourself.