Beach Pillows (2013)

Life is a beach! This explains the barrage of beach-themed movies released over the years. From the all-American rom-com The Palm Beach Story (1942) with Joel McCrea to the Spanish thriller Black Beach (2020), fans can’t get enough of cinematic sand! After Leonardo DiCaprio flashed his back in the action adventure The Beach (2000), Matthew McConaughey got into the fun with the skinternational romp The Beach Bum (2019). In between, came the indie drama Beach Pillows (2013). While not as well-known as the Hollywood musical Beach Blanket Bingo (1965) starring Frankie Avalon, this low-budget flick features its fair share of swimwear donned by topless actors. Under the direction of Sean Hartofilis, the film follows a struggling writer named Morgan Midwood (Geoffrey Arend). After a run of bad luck, he agrees to work for his father so he can save up enough money to marry his high school sweetheart Karla (Betty Gilpin). But his world is turned upside down when he discovers she’s cheating on him. Consequently, Morgan heads into a tailspin before teaming up with his equally aimless best friend Nick (Vincent Kartheiser). As the two try to have the time of their lives, the love of a new woman may be the only thing that gets Morgan back on track. Along the way, Mr. Arend, Mr. Kartheiser, and Mr. Westrate strut their collective stuff in bathing trunks. The latter actor also pops up in his underpants. Sure, these guys reveal their chests but nothing more. As we established, life’s a beach!