Swingers Chad'z rating: ***1/2 (out of 4 = very good) 1996, R, 96 minutes [1 hour, 36 minutes] [comedy] starring: Jon Favreau (Mike), Vince Vaughn (Trent), Ron Livingston (Rob), Patrick Van Horn (Sue), written by Jon Favreau, produced by Victor Simpkins, directed by Doug Liman.
Considering the success of independent films aimed at and made by 20-something GenXers, "Swingers" seems like a film that had to be made. It follows many of the styles set recently by Kevin Smith, Richard Linklater, and Quentin Tarantino as it comprised mostly of offbeat dialogue and comical situations, funny dialogue, and realistic characters with a story that might be a bit trendy but is still fun to watch.
Like many recent independent comedies there really isn't a plot to this film, it's just an exercise in characterization and dialogue. Now this has been done before ("Clerks," "Pulp Fiction") but it's become so hip by now it's practically a cliche, and yet this film still makes it work.
The first scene establishes the basic setting and a clever layer of satire as we meet Mike (Favreau), a struggling comedian and actor who has moved to Los Angeles from New York and can't get over the fact his [ex-] girlfriend hasn't called him in six months. He plays his messages and all say the same thing, "Get over her and go out and party!" Even his answering machine joins in the coercion.
Then there is Trent (Vaughn), a producer of sorts who feels the need to take advantage of his situation, that is: a handsome, single, Hollywood-type with money to spend. He talks Mike into going to Las Vegas in the middle of the night on a Wednesday and here is where the real comedy begins by showing their "swinging" lifestyle. When they arrive in Vegas they try to make an impression at the Black Jack tables, and a sit-com-esque atmosphere starts to form. Although it's hilarious at the time, it also seems a bit strange, but the film eventually finds its niche through character interaction.
They don't call the film "Swingers" for nothing, so naturally the two try to pick up women for some fast action. Needless to say this does happen but it doesn't seem cliche in the way it happens. Favreau's script is able to maintain a level of realism even as the film tends to go through the motions. For example, the film does not cut straight to sex scenes, instead, it shows Mike and Trent and their "dates" continuing their conversations even when they go back to "her place."
Most of the film depicts Mike, Trent, and their friends Rob (Livingston), Sue (Van Horn) and Charles (Alex Desert), hanging out and hitting clubs, bars, and parties. They see women, make eye contact, flirt with them, and eventually go over. This might sound a little repetitive, but again, it's the script and the realistic dialogue that makes this film different. These guys talk and act like real men, they know what women want to hear and don't act nor talk like movie characters, but like realistic, horny men. They're not just out for sex, you can tell deep down they want a relationship, but conside ring who they are what the premise of the film is, there's no way that will happen.
I've noticed films about nihilism like this tend to end on conservative notes, but often they become sappy and/or just plain cheesy, but that doesn't happen here. Mike is constantly whining about not being able to meet the right woman and about how hard it is to get over his girlfriend, so guess what happens to him?
Some might say "Swingers" is just another independent, plotless, slightly raunchy, character and dialogue-driven GenX comedy, but there isn't nearly enough films like this (at least good ones) to refer to it as "just another." Even if it was, it's still good and you have to respect that.
Please visit Chad'z Movie Page @ http://members.aol.com/ChadPolenz E-mail: ChadPolenz@aol.com (C)1997 Chad Polenz
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