(2002)

BIG KAHUNAS Kate Bosworth, Michelle Rodriguez, Sanoe Lake

THE STORY Based on ''Surf Girls of Maui,'' an Outside magazine article by Susan Orlean (''The Orchid Thief''), the aptly named ''Crush'' follows three hotel chambermaids who use their days off to tame the vicious swells of the islands -- and the not-as-vicious men who pursue them.

THE SCENE Anne Marie (Bosworth, above) realizes her dream when she enters the Rip Masters surf competition. In a cheeky nod to new-millennium commercialism, she wears a Billabong T-shirt in an attempt to attract a lucrative endorsement deal with the surf-gear manufacturer. Will she get the gold or the green? Or both? Heavy, man.

FAR-OUT CAMEOS Real-life professional surfers Keala Kennelly, Kate Skarratt, Rochelle Ballard, Layne Beachley, and Megan Abubo play Anne Marie's competition.

WHY WE DIG IT ''Crush'' advances the girl-surfer sexual politics of ''Gidget'' -- with the same cheesecake-feminist wink.