Adolescence—am I right? Parents don’t understand how hard it can be to come into your own. You have to juggle who they’re raising you to be and who your friends want you to be, all while trying to figure out who you are. It’s exhausting just to think about. Yet those teenage years are essential: a time to ask the most questions and (hopefully) get some answers. In Lemonade Blessing, John begins to buckle under the weight of expectation, identity, and acceptance.
John is Mama’s perfect boy. His mother, Mary, is a devout Catholic and is excited for John’s first day at his new private Catholic high school. There, he meets Lilith, the complete opposite of John. True to her namesake from Jewish folklore, Lilith takes every opportunity to rebel against religion. John takes an interest in Lilith when he finds out she’s also a child of divorce. When she discovers John likes her, she challenges him to prove his love by completing a series of dares. Each dare grows increasingly sacrilegious, which causes John to finally confront some of the feelings he’s been suppressing to appease those around him.
In his feature debut, writer-director Chris Merola uses Lemonade Blessing to present abstract ideas with equal parts humor and heart. The story isn’t heavy-handed in its ideals and features subtle details woven throughout, including the character names. Lemonade Blessing feels real and authentic. Merola gives us a solid and believable depiction of adolescence, from guys talking “macho” about sex and girls to not knowing what to do when a girl is actually in front of them. First kisses, friends sneaking to look at dirty magazines, and more help make the film relatable.
Jack Ryan (Asteroid City) is perfectly cast as John. His performance anchors the film with ease. He’s able to keep the beat for comedic relief, but also evokes great emotion during tender moments. It’s important not to get too stuck on John’s character because Lilith is also experiencing pressures. During class, one teacher tells the class to “marry virgins, not sluts.” When Lilith comes down the stairs, her father makes her go back and change because her tank top is too tight. For a while, John goes with the flow of Lilith’s demands, but reaches his breaking point. When confronted, Lilith—played by a fierce Skye Alyssa Friedman—confesses that she manipulates John because it’s the only control she has. This adds a layer of complexity to her character, transforming her from a rebel to an average teenage girl fighting for agency.
Despite what it may look like on the surface, Lemonade Blessing isn’t an atheist manifesto punching down on the idea of religion; instead, it emphasizes the importance of freedom to choose. In fact, the positive aspects of religion are displayed through the school’s priest, Brother Phil, who offers John an ear to listen and gives room for his questions and concerns. When John visits his father, he’s met with an inattentive parent who would rather play video games than spend time with his kid. His father has no interest in religion—or in him, for that matter. Belief isn’t born out of force; it’s something that people should be allowed to come to on their own. It’s not a journey that can be hurried or impressed upon. John is juggling a variety of identities, none of which are the real him.
Lemonade Blessing is a coming-of-age tale about the journey of self-discovery, but Merola avoids easy answers and opts for relatable moments that capture the awkward anguish of adolescence. The film shows us that teenagers should be given room to navigate gray areas. It’s in those in-between pockets that they’ll be able to uncover the answers to their questions and choose the side that’s right for them.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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