Photo via IMDb
By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Reporter
“Mean Girls” meets “The Craft” with a sprinkling of “Mallrats” and “American Psycho” is the recipe for this new independent film. “Forbidden Fruits” uses dark satirical comedy to patch a sometimes-meandering narrative to deliver decent entertainment. Buoyed by strong performances, this is not a story that can elevate itself to cult classic status, but it is fun, nonetheless.
The pinnacle of mall hierarchy/coolness lies with the Fruits, who work at a high-end fashion store by day and perform backroom ceremonies of witchcraft at night. As the newest member, Pumpkin (Lola Tung) looks to understand this strange group dynamic, befriending Cherry (Victoria Pedretti), Fig (Alexandra Shipp), and the leader Apple (Lili Reinhart). The coven threatens to fracture as secrets, lies, and a dark past are exposed that could have violent repercussions.
This is the feature film debut for writer/director Meredith Alloway, who adapts this story from the 2019 play by Lily Houghton called “of the woman came the beginning of sin and through her we all die.” The play is not at all violent, but Meredith turns this “Mean Girls” concept into a slasher using goofy gore that makes its transition to the big screen more compelling. Limited by a small budget, this rookie director leans on campy dialogue to generate dark humor that keeps the pacing lively, especially during the first half of the film. She successfully chases the chuckle, focusing on surprising quick-witted one-liners that build on each other as the movie progresses.
Alloway keeps the entirety of the filming inside a mall, presenting its own unique challenges visually that she rises to, keeping each scene feeling fresh despite the limited scope and unflattering lighting. It is unclear whether transitioning the film into a grotesquerie of splatter horror for the finale is really warranted or needed, but it is certainly surprising, especially to viewers entering blind. Accentuating this bipolar tone is the soundtrack and score, which alternates between pop-girl chic aesthetic music and tension building atmospheric beats that heighten suspense.
Keeping the film from achieving greatness is the sloppiness of the storytelling. There are multiple deep and dark subplots introduced that never get completely explored, leaving questionable intentions behind for the main characters. The narrative is simply unfocused, and the exploration of the occult is rather weak, staying on the fringes to avoid delving into the supernatural. Furthermore, there are numerous logic flaws and moments that defy basic physics scattered throughout the production, but the consistent attempts at humor beg audiences to look the other way, and to an extent the distraction succeeds.
The cast absolutely elevates this film above mediocrity, led by Lili Reinhart, who steals the show. The star of TV’s “Riverdale” shows incredible comedic chops using subtle humor and witty line delivery, selling these moments with her condescending looks that practically leave bite marks in their wake. She’s also the only member of the cast able to explore her character’s depth a little, offering interesting moments of insight into her otherwise superficial character. This is a memorable type of performance that is sure to propel her career forward.
The other standout performance comes from Victoria Pedretti, who plays a Fruit that panders to the main character, debasing herself to win her favor. At times, she comes across as a reimagining of the Phoebe character from “Friends,” with a simple-minded unfiltered approach to her character that is both charming and funny. When some of her backstory is revealed, her character’s need for belonging becomes clearer, thus expanding her emotional depth and mental instability. It’s a well-rounded performance that many will find relatable.
This is a film that never quite reaches its potential but has enough amusing comedy to be memorable with talented young actresses whose capabilities blossom on screen. “Forbidden Fruits” is the better film to be released this weekend, and while it doesn’t measure up to the likes of “Mean Girls,” it certainly scratches that itch. Show some love to independent filmmaking by seeing this in theaters.
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