Fun, but shallow and prurient Spring Break frolics
Four college gals from Massachusetts drive to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for Spring Break where they experience varying results in their pursuit of the opposite sex.
“Where the Boys Are” (1984) is a quasi-remake of the cult classic from 24 years earlier, just way more debauched after the sexual revolution of the 60s. It’s not as distasteful as the future “American Pie” flicks, but it mixes a little too much crude sexual exploitation with fun-in-the-sun innocence, at least for my tastes.
Lynn-Holly Johnson and Lisa Hartman stand out on the feminine front but, to be expected (given the scenario), there are several notables on the periphery. On the masculine side of things, Russell Todd is effective as the wannabe rock star contrasted by the classical pianist rich kid played by Daniel McDonald. You might remember Russell from “Friday the 13th Part 2.”
A far better movie of this ilk is “Shag” (1989). Still, there are some positives, like Rick Derringer’s “Shake Me.”
The film runs 1 hour, 34 minutes, and was shot in the Fort Lauderdale area, including Boca Raton.
GRADE: C+
2023-05-25
