Title: The Edge of Seventeen
Released: November 18th, 2016
Produced by: Kelly Fremon Craig
Access on: Netflix
Netflix Summary: A troubled teenager finds high school life even less bearable after she catches her childhood best friend hooking up with her popular older brother.
Gaze Theory: This film only used Gaze Theory once. In the scene where Nadine goes to meet up with her crush, Nick, there is a small glimpse of gaze theory. The two are parked in Nick’s car when Nick tries making a move on Nadine. He thinks they went there simply to hook up but Nadine wants to get to know him. As the two kiss, the camera focuses on Nadine’s lower body where we see her bare legs as Nick tries to pull off her underwear. Although brief, this scene does exemplify gaze theory because Nick is treating Nadine as a sex object. In addition, the way the camera is positioned to only show her bare skin can be thought of as gaze theory; the audience is meant to interpret that Nadine is being used for sex. However, this is the only instance of any form of nudity or of gaze theory throughout the entire film. Also, Nadine is very forceful in saying no to Nick and does not give in to his requests for sex.
Effects: This film did not use many forms of sexualization or objectification. However, much of the film is focused around love and relationships. It could be argued that the characters are sexualized throught their conversations and desire to have sex. For example, Nadine and Krista talk about Nadine hooking up with Nick frequently. Krista sleeps with Nadine’s brother as well. Despite these conversations, there is not much imagery that sexualizes or objectifies these characters. Because of this, I believe the most harmful part of the film is the fact that teenagers watching may feel that they too should be having sex and talking about hooking up which in turn makes them more sexualized. There were no evident examples of Goffmanian Analysis or Sex Role Theory either. The film did a great job of telling the characters stories and highlighting the other aspects of teenage life besides love and sex. However, the movie still ended with both Nadine and Krista finding boyfriends. This implies that teenage girls should be focused on finding love and a “man” to fulfill their happiness.
Shared by: Olivia Smidel
Image Credit: https://www.amazon.com/The-Edge-Of-Seventeen-DVD/dp/B01MYNH6CY