TEENAGE COCKTAIL (2016)

Directed By: John Carchietta 
Written By: John Carchietta, Sage Bannick, Chris Sivertson 
Story By: Amelia Yokel 
Cinematography By: Justin Kane 
Editor: John Carchietta, Josh Ethier & Ben La Marca 


Cast: Nichole Bloom, Fabianne Therese, Pat Healy, Joshua Leonard, Michelle Borth, AJ Bowen 

Feeling confined by their small town and overbearing parents, Annie and Jules hatch a scheme of running away. But as the girls soon find out, consequences can blindside you. Sometimes violently.

Who is this film supposedly for? As it plays like a hard edged afterschool special. Though it does involve a central coming of age lesbian love story. Though then kind of spoils it by going into a thriller element of sex work and picking the wrong person to do it with.

The film has a weird almost laughable scene where one of the girl’s father looks at her computer ad's and never says anything. In fact he is more embarrassed and see's his daughter in her lingerie. Which comes out of nowhere. If the father really cared that should have been the moment to show care and discipline. It is understandable that he is shocked but irresponsible to do nothing about it This is a film that seems to be searching to be something and coming off all wrong.

I believe maybe the film might have been better if directed by a female or at least someone more sensitive to it's material and nature. As many of the scenes of the two girl making out and frolicking seem more exploitive and vivid. Almost more like fetish and fantasy more than anything else. So that it feels uncomfortable or soft core pornographic rather then just fun or revealing. It reeks more of the male gaze, making any intimacy between the leads more erotic and physical. Rather then romantic, personal or endearing. As most of the time it feels like we are intruding on the girls and watching them as voyeurs. Not in a good way as we invade their privacy and tender moments.

So much so that it feels like an adult film only without the hardcore scenes and not as over the top. Which unfortunately makes it feel slow. Though it had an starter emo indie artist soundtrack. That showcases how amateur the film comes off. As since it doesn’t know how to identify itself. Like it’s characters it just seems to try anything to fit in and be relevant. So that it can say something, but as it has it’s chance. There is nothing new or too striking to say.

Though the final 15 minutes seem more stupid and ill advised even if the characters are young. As all of a sudden the man turns psycho and desperate. In a way over the top way. Rather than subtle.

You can’t shake that the film and the females characters in particular are being shown and shaped under a male glaze that turns everything into titilaion instead of emotional drama. One just wishes there was more to it. As it seems to make an emotional drama about friendship and connection. Then all of a sudden veers into thriller territory. Which could have worked if it didn’t feel so rushed all of a sudden.

It's a shame as all the actors are usually good in other films and have a real chance to shine here, but what they are given is so mundane and silly that it never makes a mark. 

GRADE: D+