Snack Shack

Screened at Regal Cinemas, Rancho Mirage, California.

Coming of age films are what some could say is an achilles heel for me. It's not like I've seen all of them in the genre. But there's a particular aesthetic to some in that genre that really speaks to me and I simply can't resist not just seeing the films, but liking them quite heavily. It's kind of a weird thing as I don't really have any desire to relive or revisit (time travel?) at least part of my childhood. Nostalgia can be such a strange thing as, at least for me, it's not a yearning feeling exactly.

Anyway, would be curious the story on this film, which essentially comes from Paramount, and why it wasn't given a better shot with the theatrical release. One week and done on a few select screens. I get it, it was unlikely to take off on any dramatic level but I bet there's an interesting explanation afoot here. Perhaps it was contracted that way, to be made-for-streaming, with short run in the cinemas. Point is, it's a shame, as though it has its weak spots, I felt overall it carved out its own unique place quite well.

The film's first unique quality is it's 90s setting. There are likely plenty more films set in that decade popping up these days, as the transition from 80s nostalgia to 90s nostalgia seems to be in full swing, but its a first for me. I also really liked the Nebraska setting. It almost had a 'Napoleon Dynamite'-like feel to it, akin to that film's Idaho setting. The town's public pool is of course quite common in films like this, but they go a bit further here and focus in on that snack shack as not just the setting, but the center, or the heart of the story.

What's really top notch here is the casting. Newcomer Conor Sherry was perfect in the lead, with a range of emotions that surprise by the conclusion. His best friend played by Gabriel LaBelle brought a perfect chemistry through all the different stages of the story. The love interest of both, played by Mika Abdalla, was the perfect match; young and free, but with a graceful maturity over the two boys, it was charming and added an emotional weight to this, unexpectedly, by the end.

The first half of the film is just straight fun as a comedic coming-of-age, while the second half adds some standard dramatic teen fare into the mix. The cast makes it work and gives it their own stamp, each with their natural screen presence. Is it funny? Not really. Chuckled a few times. Did they have a lot of current-era items (groceries especially) in the background when it's supposed to be 1991? Yes, and it annoyed the hell out of me. Were the two best friends doing a "bro handshake" that, at least to my memory, was not a thing back then? Yes. But none of the avoidable gaffes got in the way of this just being an enjoyable film with characters you're happy to spend time with for 90 minutes or so. Give this one a shot, it deserves more recognition.