Snack Shack is the film we need in this cultural and historical moment. Too far gone are the days of glory that were 1970s and 1980s cinema, specifically the genres of coming into adolescence and teenage/young adult lifestyle films.
For example, films by John Hughes: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Breakfast Club, Some Kind of Wonderful, and the non-Hughes, but still great: Fast Time at Ridgemont High.
These films have the common theme of teenage life. This brings us to this week’s official review, which embodies plenty of inspiration from past films while connecting to a new-age audience.
A Glorious Return of the Teenage Wasteland: Snack Shack
The teenage wasteland film genre, which includes Snack Shack, covers everything from the difficulties of friendships to handling hormones and attractions, not to mention high school, college, and the last summer with the person you’ve loved forever. This film genre defined a generation. Fast-forward to today—it’s a lost genre, to say the least. It’s not entirely dead, but nowhere near as prominent as the past.
John Hughes provides an idea done plenty of times before, though it’s uniquely placed as well. The setting is the summer of 1991, where we’re introduced to A.J., played by Conor Sherry in his first film, along with his best friend, Moose, played by Gabriel LaBelle (The Fablemans). The two are quickly finding themselves in trouble for making their own beer while also crossing state lines to gamble.
What Can Two Friends Do Over a Summer to Make Some Cash?
In need of immediate cash, they find a way by hanging around the wrong crowd. This leads them to acquire the rights to run the rundown Snack Shack at the local pool. Of course, their plan goes awry when the new local girl, Brooke, played by Mika Abdalla (Sex Appeal), arrives in town, sparking interest in both the young boys.
To make matters worse, Brooke enrolls at the pool as a lifeguard, threatening the two boys’ long-standing friendship as they both try to impress her.
Needless to say, the summer is filled with teenage pandemonium. Between running the Snack Shack for extra cash, being a front for making their own beer, dealing with bullies, and flirting with Brooke, the two are challenged by the early ’90s version of a teenage drama. Not to mention having two sets of disappointed parents constantly nagging at them to get their lives in order.
It’s filled with comedy and thrills, but also with heartfelt moments that really bring these characters to life.
So What Can We Make Of Snack Shack?
In short, Snack Shack has much depth, from emotional misunderstandings to connections to older friends in the neighborhood, not to mention the elephant in the room: the young boys’ high-range sexual awakenings, which threaten their friendship.
Overall, this is a solid, very funny, and entertaining film. It’s a life lesson flick that makes people ponder not only nostalgia but also their inner emotions regarding the situations they confront.
Snack Shack has a rating of 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.
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If you liked this from Seth, check out his other articles, starting with Late Night with the Devil.