The film was still a fun one that will make you laugh and have you leaving the theater feeling like you just stole something valuable and got away with it.

It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

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 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!

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!

First saw this film around 8yrs ago on Channel 4 (UK) Excellent, Fantastic - Phoebie cates - Sexy - luv the sixties look the cars and the shag music (of course shag means something else here in Engalnd) So I wondered what the film was about when I heard it was coming on t.v. I want them to bring a follow up maybe with the same stars - See how they got on life. I'm now 34 and must have seen this film around 50 times on the same video but am now looking for a Region 2 Dvd - but can only find Reg1 USA/Canada. Have tried Ebay but no luck, but I will keep on watching the film until my tape gives up. If you have never seen this film - You have missed an excellent film - better than Dirty Dancing - Wonderful and the cast Excellent. Karl