Edge of Seventeen

It's 1984, and 17 year old Eric(Chris Stafford) is on a path of self discovery that will lead him to a greater truth about himself. During the summer before his senior year he and his girlfriend, Maggie, take a job at a local theme park restaurant. Here they meet two delightfully gay characters, kitchen boss Angie(Lea DeLaria), and Rod(Anderson Gaybrych), another member of the staff who is openly gay. After a mouth full of whipped cream and a near kiss with Rod in the kitchen cooler, Eric begins to open up to his inner yearnings.

Eric's experiences lead him to a farewell date at the season's end, just before Rod leaves for Ohio State. His first experience mimics many of our's in that there is nothing better than willingly giving one's innocence to another in the confines of forbidden secret acts. The flood gates are opened for Eric, freeing the turbulent waters of confusion as he tries to understand his new feelings, and his love for girlfriend Maggie.

After being called queer at a party, Eric runs straight to the local gay bar. There he reunites with his old boss Angie, who introduces him into the glamor of the gay lifestyle. His first trick quickly follows. When Eric gets his first rim job from an older man, I screamed "Hallelujah! Thank you, Jesus!" This movie evoked memories and feelings of my own first experiences, particularly a scene I like to refer to as Baby's First Anal. Of course with pleasure comes pain. As Eric delves deeper into his new life he learns valuable lessons about sex and love. He must also reconcile with his girlfriend and confront his mother.

'84 was a little before my my teen years, but oh boy! This film, actually released in 1998, takes me back to a time in my own life when the prospect of sex with another man filled me with the verboten tingle of teenage sin. Yes! I liked the film. In fact I watched it twice, and I will watch it again. I strongly recommend you do the same. It will transport you to the days of young love's sweet sting, and I don't mean the kind that burns when you pee.

Happy Endings,

Matthew