This is a modern day coming of age story with a pitch perfect cast, wonderful music score and flawless execution. Nineteen year old Hailee Steinfeld is absolutely brilliant. She was nominated for a Supporting Actress Oscar six years ago for her performance opposite Jeff Bridges in “True Grit”. Over 1000 girls were auditioned for this demanding role and in the end Hailee was the choice, and what a perfect one. Her sense of comedic timing and her ability to deliver quick, smart and saucy dialogue is amazing.
Kyra Sedgwick of “The Closer” fame ably plays the emotional wreck of a widowed Mom. While Steinfeld is without doubt the star here, Woody Harrelson delivers one of the best performances of his career. His lunchtime conversations with his history student “Nadine” are priceless. His understated performance as the wry, somewhat mysterious teacher is exceptional. Kudos to Craig for bringing out this dimension of Harrelson.
“Nadine” is an awkward, troubled teenager who lost her Dad a few years earlier and she struggles to fit in and find friends. Along comes “Krista”, played by newcomer Hailey Lu Richardson. They become best of friends until she begins to date Nadine’s older and despised brother “Darian”, played by Blake Jenner who had a stint on television’s “Glee”.
I could go on but suffice to say I loved this film. There is no doubt that Hailee Steinfeld is on her way to stardom. She was that good. Be advised that the language is over the top off color. Anyone about to raise kids into their teenage years may need a tranquilizer, but I highly recommend seeing this terrific movie which may well get Oscar notice.
