"The Edge of Seventeen" is a coming-of-age comedy filled with humor and compassion.

Writer/director Kelly Fremon Craig has made a superior coming-of-age comedy with "The Edge of Seventeen." What makes it so great? For starters, the comedy is grounded in reality. None of the humor in it feels forced or ‘written.' Instead, it all comes from the characters and what they would truly do or say. Second, it takes the problems of troubled teen Nadine seriously, never ridiculing her or belittling her panic and rage. Finally, Craig's lead is Hailee Steinfeld, one of the best young actresses working in the business these days, and she gives a performance that should warrant awards recognition. All in all, this is a film with universal themes about the need to belong and be loved. And that should appeal to audiences on the edge of 17 or 70.