Being acquainted with the camera and technical department always helps a director to tell the story in a more vibrant way because these directors bring little details that become especially likable about the whole story. Adam Rehmeier, being a cinematographer himself, successfully showcases his talent as a storyteller in this latest coming-of-age romance drama film “Snack Shack.” Starring the ever-so-talented Gabriel LaBelle, who starred in “The Fabelmans,” Conor Sherry, and Mika Abdalla. The most intriguing part about this film is the chemistry between the actors.
Nick Robinson’s performance as Shane will definitely go down as one of the main reasons behind this film’s success. As a viewer, you may get a little anxious because things happen in a loop and may not interest you much in the first half. But give it time, and the storytelling will astonish you once it reaches its climax. It lacks the 90s vibe despite being set in the 1990s and has a very predictable plot twist.
Spoilers Ahead
Snack Shack (2024) Plot Summary and Movie Synopsis:
The film starts with A.J. and Moose, two best friends, gambling on a dog race while they are supposed to be at the zoo during a school trip. A.J. is a soft-hearted person, while Moose is nothing less than a hippie with various new business ideas. A.J. is a good gambler since he is sharp, and his resilience is second to none. Moose always takes more risk and A.J. is the one who takes the ship to the shore when the tide comes.
A.J. hits the jackpot. When they return home, A.J. ‘s parents tell them that they have heard that they were smoking cigarettes in a gambling store across the border, which is definitely a criminal offense (not smoking, not gambling, but crossing the border without a permit). Anyway, A.J. is grounded and their plan of making more money by crafting their own beer sees no sunshine as of now.
Who helps them to get the Snack Shack?
Moments later, A.J. sees a beautiful young woman come next door and randomly clicks a picture of him. It is kind of a love at first sight, just that A.J. does not know about it now. Later, we are introduced to Shane, kind of a big brother to A.J. He has served in the army and now enjoys the beer the two friends made. Shane works in the pool park, where he lets A.J. and Moose enter and have a swim. During their conversation, they bring up the topic of whether Shane has any connection so that they can work and earn.
Since A.J. and Moose need to do some jobs during the summer vacation, Shane helps them by letting them know about a shop that has already been acquired by someone else. A.J. and Moose grab the opportunity and outbid the shop’s competitors. A.J. has withdrawn all his savings from the bank. This leads to a big fight in his house. Anyway, the duo buys the shop by paying ten times more money because they were bluffed and then opens the store Snack Shack with the objective of selling their homegrown beers and earning big money.
How does Snack Shack perform on the Opening Day?
As they plan to sell their beers to everyone and get rich, A.J.’s father gets a call from the neighbor, who informs him of this. A.J.’s parents are very orthodox, and knowing that their son is making alcohol and is planning to sell it makes them very angry. So, with the beer gone, A.J. and Moose are left with nothing but selling candies, chocolates, soft drinks, and hotdogs. But, even for that, they need money, so they start working here and there. Finally, A.J. gambles all of their savings for the shop and wins double.
Meanwhile, A.J. has met with the girl next door again. This time, he learns that her name is Brooke. A.J. invites her to the pool the next day. Seeing how talented a swimmer she is, Shane gives her a job as a lifeguard after talking to the manager. The following day, A.J. and Moose open the store and see a huge crowd waiting to grab a bite. As time progresses, the number of customers increases. At the end of the day, they see that Snack Shack has sold stock for more than $1600. This is a huge success for the duo as they have never imagined they could earn this much on the very first day.
Why does Moose punch in A.J.’s face?
When Brooke comes to join the pool, Moose sees her for the first time. A couple of days later, A.J. finds out that Moose has asked her out. Well, he has asked her out on a double date because Leah, in whose house Brooke is staying for the summer break, will come too to mingle with A.J. Leah has liked A.J. for a long time, but A.J. does not share the same feeling toward her. His love for Brooke increases with each moment, and seeing her enjoying the time with Moose makes him a bit jealous.
Later that night, when returning to their homes, they are chased by a police car due to a misunderstanding. Everyone runs here and there to go into hiding. When A.J. comes looking for Mosse and Brooke, he sees them making out and leaves. From this time onward, Moose and A.J. ‘s paths start to take different turns. Subsequently, when A.J. is confronted by Brooke, he learns that Brooke is not at all serious with Moose because he is not her type. Brooke is more into A.J., and she gives the vibe, too, but A.J. is too shy to respond to that.
Shane has put the idea of trekking in Alaska, and A.J. is saving money for the trip. He even returns the savings he has borrowed from the bank to his parents. Soon, a big misunderstanding takes place between the three of them, which leads to a spat between A.J. and Moose. One night, when they are chased by the police and go into hiding behind a movie theater screen, Brooke catches both A.J. and Moose’s private parts with her two hands so that they stop panicking. Later, Moose tells A.J. that she has done this with him, and A.J. thinks Brooke is playing both of them.
Shane finally intervenes and suggests A.J. take a step as there is a chance Brooke is waiting for his response. A.J. understands what he needs to do and goes straight to Brooke’s place and kisses her. Brooke shows the signs now that she is completely into A.J., but later, they find out Moose has witnessed them kissing. Moose runs away with his cycle, and A.J. follows him. When A.J. reaches Moose’s home, he requests him to talk, but Moose punches him in the face. This finally puts an end to their friendship as A.J. leaves Moose’s place and returns to his home.
Snack Shack (2024) Movie Ending Explained:
What Happens to Shane?
The following day, A.J. sees Brooke going out with another guy, and he becomes furious. When Brooke comes to the Snack Shack with an invitation for free ice cream, he closes the shutter in her face. Shane sees this and takes him for a night out. When he hears about the guy A.J. saw Brooke with, Shane laughs pretty hard. He tells A.J. that the guy is Brooke’s brother and now A.J. feels very disappointed with himself. He later goes to Brooke to explain himself. But she is too angry to allow him that opportunity.
On A.J.’s birthday, Shane gives him a gift and asks him whether he is free for lunch. A.J. has lied about a sleepover at Moose’s place to spend the night with Shane and he was caught for lying. So, he is punished with mowing the lawn and cannot join Shane for lunch. Shane leaves, wishing him a happy birthday, and soon after, Brooke enters A.J.’s house. There is no one in the house, and they start making out. Moments later, Brooke tells A.J. that her father, a soldier, needs to move to Germany next week, and she will be leaving as well.
Soon after, A.J. ‘s father comes to the house and catches them ‘almost’ in the act. He asks them to come downstairs, where he tells them that Shane died in an accident. The news comes out like a tornado to everyone who is related to Shane, especially to A.J. As in most of his teenage years, Shane has been the only person who helped him with his dreams. He was always there whenever he needed to look up to someone. A.J. has never been understood well enough by his parents or even Moose. But Shane has acknowledged his dreams and has always shown him the right path whenever he feels lost. A brother is lost, and this brings another brother close to A.J. and in this moment of despair, Moose hugs him with tears in his eyes.
Do A.J. and Moose Bond Again?
Soon after the heartbreaking news, A.J. comes to Snack Shack and sees Moose waiting for him with their beer. With Shane gone, they decide to patch things up and start the shop again with almost the same enthusiasm. Later, A.J. sees Brooke leaving before time, and she gives him a hanky and a photo of him and Shane together. At the end of the film, we see A.J.’s father finally sharing a beer with him. A.J.’s father has always respected Shane for his bravery and boldness in life. He always seems to be disappointed with A.J. since he is not like Shane.
But, after Shane’s demise, he learns to care about A.J.’s presence as he starts bonding with him. He has always neglected him, but A.J. has proved his worth in recent times. No matter what, without Shane’s guidance, A.J. would have been lost in his path big time. Shane has been the best mentor A.J. could ever have. He has never found his father’s guidance. However, in moments like these—after fighting with Moose or Brooke- Shane always tells him the right thing to do. And the best part was that Shane always knew when to intervene. He never forced himself into anything; he has always been the shadow in A.J.’s life.
