Two young girls named Annie and Jules are the central characters in the movie Teenage Cocktail. Annie is a new girl in town who struggles to make friends in her new school, and Jules is her best friend who is also struggling with her own personal issues. The two become close friends and decide to spend their free time running away from home, dancing at clubs, and drinking cocktails.
The movie is set in Los Angeles and is full of bright colors, neon lights, and gorgeous shots of the city at night. The opening credits set the tone for the movie, with bubblegum pop playing as the camera pans across a liquor store, a convenience store, and finally, the two friends walking down the road, laughing and singing.
Annie and Jules are portrayed as typical teenage girls who are bored with their lives and want something more. They bond over their shared love of music and their desire for a world beyond their small town. They dream of leaving their mundane lives behind and moving to New York City, where they can start fresh.
However, things take a dark turn when Annie starts dating a man she met at a club named Frank. Frank is in his thirties and has a shady past, but Annie is too infatuated with him to notice. Jules, on the other hand, is suspicious of Frank and the life he leads, and slowly starts to distance herself from the couple.
As the movie progresses, we see Annie and Jules struggle with their feelings for each other, their desire for freedom and independence, and their loyalty to each other. They both have different perspectives on what it means to be a teenager and how to navigate the world as young women. Annie wants to be in love and experience the world with Frank, while Jules wants to protect their friendship and stay away from danger.
The tension in the movie only grows as Frank becomes more violent and controlling, and the girls find themselves pulled deeper into his world of crime and drugs. They soon realize that their dreams of running away and starting a new life are just that - dreams - and that the reality of their situation is much harsher.
The climax of the movie is a heart-stopping sequence that is both thrilling and terrifying. Annie and Jules find themselves in a dangerous situation with Frank and must fight for their lives while also confronting their true feelings for each other. The outcome is surprising and unexpected, leaving the audience with a lingering sense of unease.
Overall, Teenage Cocktail is a coming-of-age story that explores the complexities of young love, female friendship, and the dangers of naivety. The acting by Nichole Sakura and Fabianne Therese is top-notch, and Pat Healy delivers a chilling portrayal of a predator disguised as a charming man. The director, John Carchietta, does an excellent job of creating a visually stunning movie that perfectly captures the energy and excitement of being young and free in a vibrant city.
While the movie has its flaws, namely some narrative inconsistencies and a predictable character arc for Frank, it is still a compelling and engrossing watch. It is a movie that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt stuck in their current situation and longed for a way out. Teenage Cocktail is a powerful reminder that sometimes the things we think we want the most can lead us down a dangerous path.
Teenage Cocktail is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes.
It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.
