Shag

PG

Released Jul 21, 1989

1 hr. 40 min.

Musical

List

65%

17 Reviews

Tomatometer

88%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Before adulthood takes hold, four teenage girls spirit away to Myrtle Beach, S.C., for a final vacation together. And all of them have their issues: Carson (Phoebe Cates) is marrying a boy who might not be right for her, Melaina (Bridget Fonda) obsesses over her Hollywood dreams, Pudge (Annabeth Gish) has self-esteem problems and Luanne (Page Hannah) has a hard time letting loose. But as the trip continues, the four grow closer together and help each other start to figure things out.

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Steve D

Good cast bad script.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/07/23

Full Review

Sherrilee B

One of my all time favourites, cannot tell you how many times I've watched it, the era, the clothes, the music and the love between these four girls is brilliant, the shag dancing I fell in love with but unfortunately we don't do it here in Australia although I bought myself a tutorial dvd so I've slowly taught myself to some extent lol It was such a fun movie that really doesn't get enough credit that it is due

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/09/23

Full Review

lauri g

Slumber Party type movie. It's the most fun - and you'll be able to know which friend is which character.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

dave s

In Shag, four teenage girls head to Myrtle Beach for a final fling before they embrace adulthood. Will the single girls all find true love before the weekend is over? Will the engaged girl dump her wealthy beau in favor of the tough guy she just met? Will one of the girls win the dance competition? Will the guy who has never danced before have a shot at the dance title? Will you be able to answer these questions before the movie even gets going? Probably. Shag is hobbled by predictable situations, horrible dialogue, improbable scenarios, and a couple of scenes designed to be funny but, in reality, are just really uncomfortable, including the scene of Bridget Fonda seductively dancing with the Confederate flag, which is beyond cringe-worthy. On the bright side, the soundtrack is catchy and the four leads seem to be having fun, which should count for something. Or not.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

ashley h

Shag is a decent film. It is about four teenage girls who spirit away to Myrtle Beach, S.C., for a final vacation together. Phoebe Cates and Bridget Fonda good performances. The screenplay is a little slow in places. Zelda Barron did an alright job directing this movie. I liked this motion picture because of the humor and romance.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

s r

Saw it years ago. It was not for me.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Zelda Barron

Director

Phoebe Cates

Carson

Scott Coffey

Chip

Bridget Fonda

Melaina

Annabeth Gish

Pudge

Page Hannah

Luanne

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Variety Staff

Variety

As a dance flick, Shag suffers from an unexciting dance-style and so-so choreography but compensates with a fine young cast and likable story.

Aug 6, 2007

Full Review

Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

There's a real kick to it.

May 12, 2001

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

The actors in Shag are some of the best of the younger generation in Hollywood, and they treat their material with the humor and delicacy it deserves.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

There's ultimately not a whole lot within Shag worth getting excited about or engrossed in...

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 2, 2021

Full Review

Kathi Maio

Sojourner

It is sweet and entertaining, but it gives us a tunnel view of its time period... Racism is ignored. So are all other prejudices.

Sep 9, 2019

Full Review

Richard Freedman

Newhouse News Service

[Shag] is frothy, featherweight summer fun.

Jan 5, 2018

Full Review

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Synopsis

Before adulthood takes hold, four teenage girls spirit away to Myrtle Beach, S.C., for a final vacation together. And all of them have their issues: Carson (Phoebe Cates) is marrying a boy who might not be right for her, Melaina (Bridget Fonda) obsesses over her Hollywood dreams, Pudge (Annabeth Gish) has self-esteem problems and Luanne (Page Hannah) has a hard time letting loose. But as the trip continues, the four grow closer together and help each other start to figure things out.

Director: Zelda Barron
Executive Producer: John Daly, Derek Gibson, Nik Powell
Screenwriter: Robin Swicord, Lanier Laney, Terry Sweeney
Distributor: Hemdale Film Distribution
Rating: PG
Genre: Musical
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 21, 1989, Original
Release Date (DVD): May 22, 2001
Box Office (Gross USA): $6.1M
Sound Mix: Surround