Swingers (1996)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Doug Liman

Writer:

Jon Favreau (written by)

Release Date:

18 October 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

cocktails first. questions later.

Plot:

Wannabe actors become regulars in the stylish neo-lounge scene; Trent teaches his friend Mike the unwritten rules of the scene.

Plot Keywords:

Friend | Actor | Baby | Swing Dancing | Bar

Awards:

3 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Jon Favreau	...	Mike
Vince Vaughn	...	Trent
Ron Livingston	...	Rob
Patrick Van Horn	...	Sue
Alex Désert	...	Charles (as Alex Desert)
Heather Graham	...	Lorraine
Deena Martin	...	Christy
Katherine Kendall	...	Lisa
Brooke Langton	...	Nikki
Blake Lindsley	...	Girl with Cigar
Kevin James Kelly	...	Vegas Dealer
Stephanie Ittleson	...	Vegas Waitress
Vernon Vaughn	...	$100 Gambler
Joan Favreau	...	$5 Winner
Rio Hackford	...	Skully

MPAA:

Rated R for language throughout.

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:MA (original rating) | Australia:M (DVD rating) | Canada:14A | France:U | Spain:7 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

5874 Franklin Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Independent Pictures (II)

Trivia:

There is a reference to Reservoir Dogs (1992) while the actors are playing poker. They refer to the scene in the beginning when they walk in slow motion as "a great scene". As the characters in Swingers leave the poker game to go to a party, they are shown walking in slow motion in a similar fashion to the scene in Reservoir Dogs.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Sue leaves Trent to finish up the pep talk with Mike at the Dresden, as Mike walks away, Rob is seen sitting in the background, in a chair at a different table. When we cut back to the guys at the table, Rob is back where he was originally sitting, as if he never moved.

Quotes:

Trent: I'm gonna find me two waitresses here and I'm gonna pull me a Fredo.
Mike: Yeah, well they're all skanks.
Trent: What are talking about? Look at all the beautiful babies here.
Mike: The beautiful babies don't work the midnights-to-six on a Wednesday. This is the skank shift.
Trent: Look at all the beautiful honeys here.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Knocked Up (2007)

Soundtrack:

With Plenty of Money and You

This movie is so money!

Before watching "Swingers," I saw Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn paired off in "Made." Now, I didn't like "Made" all that much, but that didn't lower my expectations when watching "Swingers." I already knew the two actors had a great chemistry and as long as the script is well-written, they can really go places. "Swingers" is a thoroughly original, wonderfully written comedy that's filled with big laughs.

Favreau and Vaughn's characters are like polar opposites, and it's hilarious to watch them argue. The rest of the actors are also good (I think the black guy is the blind character from "Becker"--I could be wrong), but Vince Vaughn steals the show as the smooth-talking Trent. We all have friends like Trent. Some of us aspire to be like Trent. Some of us are Trent. I admit, I would compare myself more to Favreau's character--the more reserved, sensitive type. But the great thing about a film like this is it's down to earth. It's about everyday people in everyday situations, and I guarantee many of us can relate to the characters in "Swingers" in one way or another, just like how many of us relate to the characters on "Seinfeld." This isn't a plot-driven film, so you can call this a movie about nothing. It's simply about a group of studs on the prowl, hitting the clubs and casinos, and sharing their philosophies on sex and dating. There are several films that tried to replicate this format and failed ("Whipped" comes to mind).

If you're in the mood to laugh hysterically and be wildly entertained, "Swingers" is the movie for you. About my only criticisms would be a few lame attempts to be stylish. Come on, would 5 guys really drive in their own cars and follow each other all the way without anyone cutting them off?

My score: 8 (out of 10)