Watch Shag For Free

As Good As It Gets

Blistering performances.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

A slow moving film about 4 friends: "Carson" (Phoebe Cates), "Pudge" (Annabeth Gish), "Melaina" (Bridget Fonda) and "Luanne" (Page Hannah) who decide to take one last fling in Myrtle Beach, SC before going their separate ways. Although the music was standard for the year it was supposed to represent (1963), for some reason this film failed to capture the right feel for this particular time period. Perhaps it was the crude and vulgar manner in which the young adults carried themselves or the bikinis that some of the ladies wore. But something didn't seem right to me. I could maybe visualize some of this wild and ill-mannered behavior on the West Coast--but not in Dixie during this particular period. Also, the Southern accents were a bit too thick and heavy which made everything seem a bit phony. Even so, Annabeth Gish and Scott Coffey (as "Chip") turned in good performances as did Bridget Fonda to a lesser degree. But other than that the acting was mediocre. All things considered then, it was a decent film worth watching if you're a fan of the early-60's or if you enjoy beach movies.

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.

This has been a classic, for me, since I was about 12 years old. It was popular slumber party fare back then, but it's aged well and I still enjoy watching it today. The story follows a group of high school grads as they set off for one last weekend together in Myrtle Beach. It's your basic friendship/coming of age story with a backdrop of 1963 beach life in South Carolina. The film has fantastic eye candy; the actors, the clothes, the hair, and the scenery come to life in lollipop-colored fun. There's just enough plot to keep it interesting, and the right balance of humor without too much sentimentality. All of this, combined with good performances from a strong ensemble cast, makes for easy repeat-watching. My only problem with the film was the soundtrack tampering that took place with the VHS (second) version. Luckily, the original soundtrack has been restored for the DVD version (or most of it, as I can recall). The music is perfect and really adds to the enjoyment of the film and the sense of time period. It may look a bit cheesy, and probably is, but it's a fabulous popcorn flick that will put you in a good mood, guaranteed.

My motivation for watching this movie was that it was actually filmed in Myrtle Beach. Growing up going to Myrtle in the summer, and of course going for the virtual spring break that goes on there all summer long for people of college age made me curious enough to view this film. After viewing it, I realized that it is true...there are a select few buildings that haven't changed since the 60's, and this movie used them well as props (in 89').Unfortunately now that Myrtle Beach is the country's largest and fastest growing tourist area, most of the nostalgic buildings are going, but as of this summer, there are still a few drive ins and shops in original 50's condition, as well as the original Theme Park with the wooden roller coaster still standing (and in use). As a matter of fact, I have stayed twice at the Sea Palms motel in the "shag room" as it is called. The reason they call it this is because the movie actually used it to film a couple scenes (not for the reason you are thinking). Yes, it still looks like the 50's in this motel too...probably because that was the last time it was remodeled (unfortunately I am not joking). Either way, if you like Shag, and actually want to see all of the places on the strip where the scenes were shot, go to Myrtle on your next vacation (since you will likely be going there anyway). Note, you still won't get any sleep if you stay at a motel on Ocean Blvd (the strip)...that much hasn't changed since the 50's!