Shag (1989)

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

This is such a great movie! I bought the MGM copy not knowing that it was different from the HBO copy. I remembered that my local video store had the HBO copy so I switched them! Me and my sisters love this movie. We try to sit down and watch it together at least once a year. We have been watching it for years. We first recorded it off of HBO. We had two movies on that tape, Dirty Dancing was first and then Shag. I was known as the "girls tape". I heard that the Pavilion was closing this summer and I'm trying to get some information on where this film was shot. If anyone could let me know... My sister just moved near Myrtle Beach and we are looking to go on a road trip to see some of the places where the film was made.

Charming, colorful, and spirited are a few words I can apply to "Shag - The Movie." In case you're wondering, the title is referring to a style of dancing that was popular in southern U.S. beach communities during the late 1950's, and through the 1960's. "Shag" is the kind of movie in which the viewer may wish they were there; partaking in everything that's happening between old and new friends. Friendship is the basis of the movie, which is set in the summer of 1963. The main characters are four girls who have one final fling before they go their separate ways into adulthood. Carson (Phoebe Cates) is engaged to be married to an up-and-coming tobacco tycoon named Harley (Tyrone Power Jr.) Luanne (Page Hannah) is the daughter of a wealthy senator. Caroline (Annabeth Gish) goes by "Pudge" as a nickname. She has a reputation for being overweight even though she's turning into a slimmer young woman. Melaina (Bridget Fonda) is rebellious, and has a sexually liberated attitude. Four girls who are often as different as can be, but they're still the best of friends. Their friendship is sometimes tested when they reach the destination of their final fling: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Throughout the movie common teen subjects arise: Alcohol, sex, careers, future plans, dating, and marriage are some of the subjects discussed. Naturally guys come into play, and the characters of Buzz (Robert Rusler) and Chip (Scott Coffey) are introduced. Buzz is free-spirited and lively. Chip is a young man on his way to becoming a Marine. Along the way Carson and Buzz develop an attraction for each other, which threatens Carson's engagement to Harley. The relationship between Carson and Buzz grows, and soon Carson finds it difficult to stop herself from being drawn to him. Eventually Harley shows up in Myrtle Beach, which creates some surprises for everyone. Luanne and Harley have a respect for each other, but there also seems to be a hint of a mutual interest between them. Pudge and Chip hit it off, and plan to enter the shag dance contest. Their growing relationship is interesting, because it's not immediately known if Chip likes Pudge as much as she likes him. The character of Melaina goes through a few phases, but her main goal is to nab a career in Hollywood. Cliff-hangers seem to be common throughout "Shag - The Movie": Will Carson break off her engagement to Harley, and find love with Buzz? Would a break-up lead Harley to Luanne? Will Pudge and Chip find they love each other, and will they still be in the shag contest? Will Melaina be discovered, and be on her way to Hollywood? Will the parents find out the girls lied by going to Myrtle Beach instead of going on an educational tour? Obviously these are answered by the film's end, but along the way there are fun times to be had! One big party, meeting a teen idol, a beauty contest, and the shag contest provide lots of fun. Tender moments, competition, and conflicts keep the movie well grounded. The summer of 1963 is re-created with amusement park rides, jukeboxes, carhops, vintage cars, and music. The soundtrack is made of new versions of songs that had been hits in that era, and also original vintage oldies. The soundtrack also features new, original recordings, but they don't always have an authentic sound (this is the only negative comment I have on the entire movie.) Sets, props and locations fit well with the 1963 setting. The movie is well filmed, well scripted, and contains a lot of memorable dialogue. The humor is satisfying more on a delightful scale, and there doesn't seem to be an attempt at too many big laughs. In this case a more subtle style of humor works very well, and adds to the charm of the movie. The entire cast does a wonderful job! Each performance is well-crafted, and the cast is full of talent. The interactions of the actors and the chemistry between each character keep the movie fun and high-spirited. "Shag - The Movie" is a crowd pleaser for all audiences, and worth multiple viewings. Put on your shagging shoes, and enjoy a movie that really is the bee's knees!

Four friends head to Myrtle Beach, SC after high school graduation. There they meet boys, have a party (hellacious for 1963), and enter a fabulous dancing contest. This movie is fun, keeps your attention, and is wonderful to be able to see the period (early 1960s) cars, hotels, dancing pavilion, etc. in Myrtle Beach. I would recommend this movie for a nice evening to just feel good. The only bit of concern is that the original VHS that was released in 1989 and the DVD versions are fine-- but somewhere in between there was a version released on VHS for about $10 that was a disappointment-- it had deleted/changes music. Beware of this version. The new DVD version is intact. The original music is nice and adds to the era in which this movie takes place. Young and old alike will like this movie.

What can I say. I wholeheartedly love this movie. I must admit, the first time I saw this movie I really didn't care for it too much. Why? Because I expected it to be something else. I had "seen" parts of it years ago when I was little kid and had developed some kind of warped image in my head about what it was about. But upon my second viewing, it really grew on me. The characters were relateable, the music was great, and the chemisty between the actors was palpable; especially between the characters Carson and Buzz. And you gotta love Jimmy Valentine and his infamous "move" and Bridget Fonda, with her witty and sexy dialogue stole all of her scenes. I now have this movie in my collection and re-view it regularly. I love films set in the '60's and this movie truly captured the "innocence" of the pre-Kennedy assasination, pre Vietnam summer of 1963. Though it has its flaws, (such as the lackluster acting of Tyrone Powers Jr. as Carson's hubby- to-be Harley) it still has charm. I recommend this coming of age tale because it is definitely the most fun.