Shag (1989)

I honestly could not believe when I read the other reviews of this movie about how they loved it. This movie was awful. This movie takes place in a bygone era, but that doesn't excuse the awful behavior of the protagonist girls as they take a trip to Myrtle Beach for some retro, old fashioned manhunting and retro fun, yet remaining strangely stuck up. Also, I don't care when a movie takes place, but no means no! One character in particular allows herself to constantly be pushed into romantic situations with a man despite being engaged, and is eventually won over by his ignoring of her requests to not kiss her, to put his shirt back on, that it's wrong, etc, etc. Another character, desperate to be the southern sweety in some boardwalk beauty pageant, actually puts on a bikini and does a sexy dance with a confederate flag, and in another scene a girl is on stage in a stars-and-bars swimsuit. The movie opens with the word "SHAG" with a confederate flag background. There are also huge plot holes. For example, the girl who's house they are staying at instructs the others not to use the phone because the house is supposed to be empty and her father will see the phone bill, even though her parents know she is on a trip. But they still freely use electricity and water and other utilities throughout the movie, even throwing a massive drinking party and trashing the house. Think of it like a retro "From Justin to Kelly" without music but just as terrible, or really any other archetypal boy meets girl summer flick. I could go on and on with the ways this movie fell short but it is not even worth it. Another note I'd like to make, this is not a movie that is so bad that it's funny which is why this is rated a two instead of a one, because it's really just mediocre and annoying.

I was born and raised in South Carolina. My aunt had a beach house in Isle of Palms, SC and we spent each and every summer there with my entire family; aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents included. My family is the definition of a classy, South Carolinian family; not trashy or redneck (like some of the girls in the film as you know.) My aunts and uncles competed in the most well known of shag competitions at the beaches in South Carolina and were very well known within that circuit. I can proudly say they won first place in many, many competitions. Anyway, that is all besides the point! My grandmother and Aunt would put this movie on every single night at our beach house for my sister and I before we went to sleep in my Aunt's bed while all of the adults were downstairs shagging and having "the most fun". My aunt was diagnosed with cancer and died when I was 8 so, needless to say, due to medical bills, we lost the beach house and all of the memories that went along with it.This film is the epitome of my childhood. It is EXTREMELY truthful to how South Carolina was back in the day and for anyone that is curious, Shag was filmed in Myrtle Beach as well as Isle of Palms, SPARTANBURG not SPARTENBURG, Greenville, Anderson, Columbia, Orangeburg, Edisto Island, and Georgetown, all in South Carolina. I actually live down the street to one of the houses filmed in the beginning at home with the girls.One of the things I treasure most from my childhood is this film :) I know it line for line and will never forget that people like my family made it possible for nostalgia such as the scenes displayed in Shag to have even taken place.Now if only the Yankees would leave and never come back... and STOP wearing your shoes on our beaches!

Another nostalgia piece? Yes, and a fun one at that. "Shag" does not have anything to do with Austin Powers, but rather portrays four teenage girls spending a weekend partying in 1963 Myrtle Beach, before one of them gets married (the title refers to a type of dance...and let me tell you, that dance looks fun!). The movie is partly a look back at that era - with Bermuda shorts, Jackie Kennedy hairdos and spiffy cars - but mostly a big excuse to have fun. As an example of how much fun they're having, they're staying in a senator's house that's supposed to be unoccupied. Anyway, it's a really cool movie. Phoebe Cates, Bridget Fonda, Annabeth Gish and Page Hannah all play some great characters here. If only I could have participated in that weekend.

I absolutely love this film. I first saw it 10 years ago, and I still think it is by far the best summer movie about love, coming of age, and friendship! If you like Fried Green Tomatoes, Ya-ya Sisterhood, or any other story about strong Southern women, you will enjoy this fun young and fresh story!