Mini's First Time Review

by Moira de Swardt (moira DOT ds AT wol DOT co DOT za)
October 3rd, 2006
Genre: "Dark comedy"
Writted and Directed by: Nick Guthe
Running Time: 91 minutes
Rating: 7/10

This movie crosses the border from "dark comedy" into a socially scandalous plot and I'm almost ashamed to admit that I quite enjoyed it. The movie has some delightful moments in it and the script is mostly very clever, with the plot unfolding so beautifully that I wanted to applaud.

Our heroine, and I use the word lightly, starts out explaining why she, a straight C student, is the valedictorian. We come back to it in the end. The bit about the straight C student valedictorian is quite silly, and the story in between, where the real plot lies, could have been told just as well without it.

Mini (Nikki Reed) is a rich, rebellious Los Angeles teenager, the daughter of Diane, a gold-digging actress (Carrie-Anne Moss) who openly abuses sex, drugs and alcohol. The movie is about Mini's relationship with her stepfather, Martin (Alec Baldwin), and the plot they have to get Diane committed to a mental institution.
Nikki Reed creates a plausible young character who, given too much money and freedom and not enough love and security, views life as an opportunity to do things, to be original and unique. I found Mini's morality repulsive, but recognised it as being a reflection on modern society.

Not for the morally squeamish, but otherwise an excellent bit of entertainment.

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