MOVIE REVIEW : ‘WELCOME TO 18’: A FUN SPRING COOLER

Mariska Hargitay, Courtney Thorne-Smith and Jo Ann Willette are such lovely young actresses that it’s a pleasure to watch them even if “Welcome to 18” (citywide) is pretty thin.

They’re cast as three brand-new high school graduates (presumably from the Valley--where else?) who take off for summer jobs at a Lake Tahoe dude ranch only to be caught up in unexpected adventure. The film is at its best in capturing the playful sense of fun and genuine loyalty that binds the young women in steadfast friendship.

However, what director Terry Carr and his co-writer Judith Sherman Wolin have in store for them is straight out of Nancy Drew. Well, maybe not quite, for the women do end up in the sack--briefly and discreetly, to be sure--with their respective guys. Even so, the film’s emphasis is on adventure rather than romance.

The point is that these are very nice young women. The gorgeous brunette Hargitay--the daughter of Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay--plays level-headed Joey, who’s pursued by likable entomologist John Putch. Jo Ann Willette’s Robin goes in for elaborate wigs and punk flash, but she’s really every bit as sweet and vulnerable as the blond Thorne-Smith’s virginal Lindsey.

Fed up with the hard work at the dude ranch, the three leap at casino jobs that come their way through their glamorous new acquaintance Talia (Cristen Kauffman) and her boyfriend, Roscoe (E. Erich Anderson). But Roscoe’s strictly bad news, into gambling, prostitution and drugs. The danger he represents is treated with a lighthearted comic touch but Talia’s predicament is treated seriously, as her new friends try to build up her self-esteem and encourage her to break away from the sadistic Roscoe.

“Welcome to 18” (rated PG-13) looks good, capturing both the beauty and the tawdriness of Lake Tahoe, and is a fine showcase for its youthful cast. It’s no more than a hot-weather cooler, its release no doubt timed for spring vacation.