Mini's First Time is what you would expect from the title, and then again, it isn't. It definitely isn't a porn, but it isn't a romantic comedy, either. In fact, it's a very dark comedy about a high school senior named Mini who thrives on having "first times" that push the limits of sensibility. One of these first times includes signing up for a call girl service to have sex with a complete stranger for money, and who does Mini get hooked up with but her own stepfather (Alec Baldwin). He has sex with her without knowing who she is, but when he realizes what he has done, he does the obvious thing: he keeps screwing her. Soon, their relationship has escalated to the point where they have to get her mother (Carrie-Anne Moss) out of the way, but murder is too obvious... why not drug her so she becomes psychotic and eventually kills herself? Yes, a very lighthearted comedy indeed...

Those expecting a twisty murder thriller a la Wild Things or continuous deceit and seduction as in Cruel Intentions will be disappointed, as Mini's First Time relies more on quirky, random dark acts by the lead characters rather than a specific commit-a-crime-and-then-keep-digging-myself-farther-into-a-hole plot. If the movie intended to be a twisty crime thriller it failed, but it succeeds in everything else. The movie is darkly funny and entertaining from beginning to end.

That being said, films like this have been done many times before and to better results. Movies about teenage girls ascending far beyond their innocent appearance tend to be fairly popular and follow a similar theme, but I guess it's no surprise as beautiful teenage girls are the ultimate forbidden fruit for most men. Director Nick Guthe certainly delivers the goods as the movie boasts a hot, young lead (16-year old Nikki Reed, who looks like she's 20-something) who enjoys sex and seems to have no moral conscience whatsoever.

Mini's First Time is a movie made for men, but anyone who enjoys dark comedy-thrillers may get a kick out of this one. The movie doesn't offer a lot of twists, but just when you don't think the characters can do anything worse, they do. It's like a modern day Lolita, only not a classic.

Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.