Greetings from the Shore

It's refreshing to see a small, independent movie with such a big heart, lovable characters (played by an able, attractive cast) and stunning cinematography.

Who knew the Jersey Shore had such beautiful locations? I'm so accustomed to seeing films set in The Garden State that look like a trash dump, not like some tropical paradise. The light is golden and feels almost nostalgic, like a film from another decade.

But life isn't exactly paradise for the down-on-her luck main character (Kim Shaw), who's trying to fulfill her dream of going to Columbia by working all summer and praying she gets financial aid. Her dad's dead, her car breaks down, the job and housing she had lined up both vanish, and she's forced to either admit defeat or turn that frown upside down and make the best of things. Shaw is cute as a button and you want her to succeed. She finds work as a ESL teacher for the kitchen staff at a local restaurant/boat club and gets involved with a group of bad boy drifters who she's supposed to be teaching. Later than sooner, she learns what they're up to and falls for the cutest bad boy of the bunch (David Fumero).

Coming-of-age, end-of-innocence, romantic-comedy, thriller...whatever you want to call it, it works. Kudos to the filmmakers for making such a feel-good film...it would be great to see more indie films that show us the sunny side of life more often than focusing on just the dark clouds of human experience.

I had never heard of this movie until I caught it on a movie channel on television. Once I saw a few minutes, I was hooked. Something about it drew me in. I spent the rest of the movie trying to figure out what that something was. I think I know.

It's a true "feel-good." It's not offensive, it's not run-of-the-mill, it's not cliché. In fact, I was surprised it was rated R, it could easily have gone PG or PG-13. Some of the humor is edgy, but the romance is pure and sweet, there are NO sex scenes (can you believe it) and yet it's still effective.

The characters are real and the acting is right-on. The dialog is strong. The plot is unique. Perhaps the climax scene is a little predictable, but it doesn't take away from the movie. It only adds to the lightness of it. Sometimes it's refreshing to just experience something that is in its essence sweet and good and simple. That's what this movie is. If I had one word to describe it, it would be "genuine." You feel genuine when you're watching it and you feel genuinely satisfied once it's over.

7.5

This film reminded me of movies from my high school years, sort of like a John Hughes flick. I definitely enjoyed it and will watch it again if I get the chance, but I know that if I'd seen this film when I was younger, it would have been in heavy rotation on my schedule of flicks to watch on weekends with my girlfriends and a huge bowl of popcorn, or maybe salt-water taffy. Heck, I'd watch it again just for the eye candy of David Fumero! But seriously it's about time some movie showed New Jersey in a favorable light. My favorite place there is the Jersey Shore (whose isn't?), and that's what this movie is all about. It shows off the best things that come with spending a summer there -- the boardwalks and games, beautiful beaches, and all the quirky characters that make up this unique slice of Americana. The movie is fun and funny, and it's romantic and sweet. I gave it a 9 out of 10.

In the tradition of Dirty Dancing and Mystique Pizza, Greetings From The Shore is an entertaining, well made, and well acted little film. If you thought Sleepless in Seattle or An Affair to Remember were just corny love stories, you might still enjoy this story because of the added drama of the high stakes poker game, and the baffling contingent of foreign heavies that populate the seaside landscape. Jen is a truly sympathetic character, just as Flip is the stereotypical guy that you love to hate. Whether you watch it for the intrigue or the romance (both of which are worthwhile endeavors), as you watch it, keep in mind that it is based on true life experiences of the screenwriter.

Its a good movie if you want entertainment, but it lacks credibility. In real life, no one ever puts their college eggs in one basket, especially on an Ivy League school like Columbia and especially when they do not have the financial wherewithal to pay the tuition. A "real" Jersey Shore waitress would have applications ( and probably acceptances) from cheaper state schools and even community colleges where many working class high school graduates start their education in real life. I also find it hard to believe that her father, who got through three years at Columbia, did not make more of his life so that his wife did not have to work as a housekeeper.

It was interesting learning about the work permit process and the dangers described about life on a fishing boat bought back memories of the "Perfect Storm".