Film

Shag (1987)

Director: Zelda Barron

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

Lest you snigger, the title refers to a dance indigenous to South Carolina. Set in 1963, this teen movie with a well-connected cast has Gish (no relation), Fonda (daughter of Peter), Hannah (sister of Daryl) and Cates set off on a pre-college romp to Myrtle Beach, 'where the boys are'. Their aim is to dissuade the morally self-righteous Cates from marrying deadly dull Tyrone Power Jr; she resists, but soon hunky Buzz (Rusler), an advocate of free love, is tapping her primal instincts. Meanwhile, the other three pursue their aim of 'getting engaged by 20'. Kenny Ortega (Dirty Dancing, Salsa) choreographs, but has little to do; the dance sets are minimalised, and too often shot inappropriately at shoulder height. The adolescent antics may be familiar, but Barron directs with affection both for her characters and for back-combing and boned underskirts; her young professionals turn in appropriately corny performances; and the soundtrack is a corker.

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