Commercial success of Dirty Dancing inevitably led to the films that employed its formula – mix of spectacular dance action, early 1960s pop soundtrack and Boomer nostalgia. One of the more successful among them, although underrated, is Shag, 1988 comedy directed by Zelda Barron.
Plot is set in 1963 South Carolina. Carson McBride (played by Phoebe Cates), recently graduated from Spartanburg High School, is about to marry Harley Ralston (played by Tyrone Power, Jr.), son of tobacco tycoon. She is invited by her three of friends to spend few days in Myrtle Beach where they would enjoy beach music, “shag” dancing and company of good looking boys. Preacher’s daughter Melania Buller (played by Bridget Fonda) is wildest of the trio and hopes that she could win beauty contest, seduce teen pop star Jimmy Valentine and thus pave way for career in Hollywood. Caroline “Pudge” Carmichael (played by Annabeth Gish) has serious self-confidence problems over her weight. Luanne Clutterbuck (played by Page Hannah), nerdy daughter of conservative senator, is supposed to keep her friends out of trouble. That proves to be difficult because Carson falls in love with Buzz Ravenel (played by Robert Rusler), young man who is about to attend Yale University in autumn. His friend Chip Guillayard (played by Scott Coffey) becomes close to Pudge. In the meantime, situation gets complicated due to wild party in Clutterbucks’ beach home and arrival of Harley.
Shag is one of those truly nostalgic Hollywood films that try very hard to depict late 1950s and early 1960s as simpler, more innocent and better times. Despite being set in South Carolina, film never mentions civil rights movements or racial segregation, nor it gives any hints about Vietnam War and other nightmares that would affect America following JFK assasination. Even the Confederate flag – item purged from films and video games in our “politically correct” times – is here presented without any political connotations. British director Zelda Barron is not concerned with politics and geographical peculiarities of the film setting, and instead delivers effective combination of 1960s beach party films, good music, excellent dance numbers choreographed by Kenny Ortega and rather generic melodrama. She is especially effective in mass scenes that make Shag look much more expensive and spectacular than it actually is. But the greatest impression is given by young and very talented cast. Bridget Fonda in one of her earliest major roles is effective as ruthless seductress. Annabeth Gish is also good as attractive but insecure young woman. Phoebe Cates is also impressive in the role of a character that transforms from dutiful Southern belle to rebellious woman in love. Male part of the cats is slightly overshadowed, especially in the case of bland Tyrone Power Jr. On the other hand, Scott Coffey is much more interesting as Pudge’s love interest. Shag failed at the box office, but it was undeserved fate and those who watch it now would be entertained by surprisingly good piece of 1960s nostalgia.
RATING: 7/10 (+++)
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