Snack Shack is a coming of age story that is sure to have every ’90s kid nostalgic. Witty most of the time, but also delivers quite a bit of heart.
Snack Shack is a wonderful coming of age story set in the early 1990s that will have many viewers nostalgic for the time before technology and cellphones were everywhere. A time when summers were spent at the community pool, with friends, face to face and not constantly on our devices. A.J. (Conor Sherry) and Moose (Gabriel LaBelle) are partners in crime and the best of friends.
When they come up with a money making scheme to run the snack shack at the pool during school break, their summer takes a completely unexpected turn. Faced with the normal turmoil of teenage years, plus an unexpected eye opening moment, the two must decide if their friendship is worth it, or if they should part ways.
Sherry and LaBelle are instantly believable as best friends. Between their mannerisms and the way they poke at each other, their relationship really works on screen. The two have had their fair share of getting in trouble, but it seems they truly want the snack shack to be a success – mostly to make money though, of course.
A.J.’s parents don’t exactly love the influence Moose is on him, and often try to sway him from hanging out with him. Likely because the two tend to get in trouble when they are together.
When it hits summertime, and their little group grows to include Shane (Nick Robinson) and Brooke (Mika Abdalla) that is when things get really interesting. What would a coming of age story about two best friends be without a fight over a girl? This part of the plot is predictable, but that doesn’t make it any less entertaining to watch play out.
Snack Shack takes place during the summer of 1991, which is very apparent from the clothing, the dialogue, and the sets. For those viewers who grew up in the ’90s, this is sure to evoke a lot of nostalgia. It is nice to have a film about teenagers that is able to focus on the relationships without including social media and screens. It helps the audience connect to them more, as it is clear they are having real face to face relationships.
Without getting into too much detail, there is a pivotal moment towards the end of the movie that comes completely out of left field, but really makes everything come together. It is emotional and intense, and deals with some heavy subject matter, however it was necessary to drive the story to where it needed to go. There is plenty of comedy throughout Snack Shack, but this bit of heart is perfectly sprinkled in and helps to make this movie a memorable one.
Rating: 3 out of 5
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About Snack Shack
Nebraska City, summer of 1991—Inseparable best friends AJ (Conor Sherry – “Are You Afraid of the Dark?,” The Terminal List) and Moose (Gabriel LaBelle – The Fabelmans) seize the opportunity to run the local pool’s rundown snack shack after their plan to gamble on dog races and sell home-brewed beer goes down the drain. Dreaming of striking it rich, things take an unexpected turn when they meet summer visitor Brooke (Mika Abdalla – Sex Appeal, SWAT), an effortlessly cool lifeguard who puts their big summer plans, and their friendship, at risk.
Written and directed by Adam Rehmeier (Dinner in America, The Bunny Game) and produced by T Street, MRC and Paperclip productions, SNACK SHACK is a nostalgic journey for those who came of age before the era of cell phones, and a hilarious escape for those who wish they had.
The film also stars Nick Robinson as Shane (Love, Simon, Jurassic World), and David Costabile as Judge (“Billions,” “Breaking Bad,” Lincoln).
SNACK SHACK can be seen ONLY in theaters on Friday, March 15th.