Snack Shack is a coming-of-age comedy that may have an aroma of familiarity but vernally comes off as good natured and authentic. It’s about two teens who need to make cash over the summer so they take over the community pool’s snack shack. Meanwhile, their friendship is tested by the new girl in town / new lifeguard.

This is a bit of a shaggy and wandering comedy that never quite figures itself out. But it’s an honest and earnest attempt that kept me reasonably engaged through its various adventures and challenges. I never quite knew where it was going next but that’s ok since it might not have either.

The young cast is fresh and looks about the right age (the actors are all in their early 20s but look a little younger). They did a good job with their characters and showed depth and growth. The script gave them enough to chew on as both a comedy and a drama.

The end of the film has a sudden twist that felt unearned… a tragedy that, while well-acted, kind of came out of the blue and went back into the blue just as quickly. It seemed to only exist to give the flick a dramatic finale… and I felt a little bad for the characters but only for so long as the movie wanted me to.

This is a fun, genuine, and familiar flick that’s worth a watch. There are better movies that have played in the same pool but, hey, this is a new one of those. It’s well-acted by its fresh-faced cast and generally earnest, if a little shaggy.

Score: 84