I enjoyed Pitch Perfect. A good deal, actually. It’s become one of those films that, if I need good background noise while I mill about the house and it’s on TV, I’ll always half-watch it. Snarky Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson bringing the funny? All in. Hell, if it’s on Freeform–effing Freeform, formerly ABC Family, formerly The Family Channel–I’ll stay on Freeform and hope that I don’t see Pat Robertson rear his gremlin head to tell us how Salvation Army clothes need an exorcist to scare demons away.
That’s why when I heard that Hailee Steinfeld would be in Pitch Perfect 2, I was heartened to no end. The actress hasn’t had a win in quite a bit–the less said about 3 Days to Kill, the better. However, sadly, her role in Pitch Perfect 2 turned out to be largely filler that could have been filled by just about any other young woman with half her acting chops.
The official red band trailer of The Edge of Seventeen looks like it could very much be Steinfeld’s second act. The film, directed by newcomer Kelly Fremon and produced by no less than James L. Brooks, looks to explore the minefield that is high school and growing up, infusing equal parts humor and angst. From the looks of the four-minute plus trailer, featuring a pedigree of actors that includes Woody Harrelson and Kyra Sedgwick, Steinfeld is bringing a manic excitement, humor, and depth that, hopefully, is a sign of more good things to come from the actress.
The Edge of Seventeen, directed by Kelly Fremon and starring Hailee Steinfeld, Kyra Sedgwick, and Woody Harrelson, debuts September 30 from STX Entertainment.