Swing (1999)

An optimistic guy is arrested and thrown in jail, while there he learns the saxophone from a fellow inmate. Once he's released from jail, he and a few friends form a swing band while he ... See full summary »

Director:

Nick Mead

Writers:

Su Lim (story), Nick Mead (screenplay)

Stars:

Hugo Speer, Lisa Stansfield, Paul Usher

1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Hugo Speer	...	Martin 'Marty' Luxford
Lisa Stansfield	...	Joan Woodcock
Paul Usher	...	Liam Luxford
Tom Bell	...	Sid Luxford
Rita Tushingham	...	Mags Luxford
Danny McCall	...	Andy
Alexei Sayle	...	Mighty Mac
Clarence Clemons	...	Jack
Scot Williams	...	Buddy
James Hicks	...	Oi
Nerys Hughes	...	Maria
Tom Georgeson	...	Uncle Matty
Jimmy Nail	...	Arthur
Gavin Watson	...	Orangeman / Piano
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jon Huyton	...	Assistant Hotel Manager

Storyline

An optimistic guy is arrested and thrown in jail, while there he learns the saxophone from a fellow inmate. Once he's released from jail, he and a few friends form a swing band while he tries to win back his girlfriend who married the police officer who arrested him!

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Plot Keywords:

saxophone | prison | jazz music | jazz band | arrest | 

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Taglines:

Getting this dream off the ground takes some pretty fancy footwork!

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Genres:

Comedy | Music | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Official Sites:

Official

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 May 1999 (UK)

Also Known As:

Swing - Ritmos E Desejos

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£132,138 (United Kingdom), 9 May 1999, Limited Release

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tapestry Films, The Kushner-Locke Company

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

Jack: Playing the sax is like telling the truth. You never have to tell the same lie twice - if you tell the truth.

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Crazy Credits

At the end of the credits, they mention five hamsters were killed in the making of this film...and how if they had not moved, the staple gun would not have been used.

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Soundtracks

Mack the Knife
Written by Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht
English translation by Marc Blitzstein
Performed by Lisa Stansfield

User Reviews

A swing film that doesn't focus on the dancers.

I had the opportunity of seeing a screening of "Swing" at Culver Studios, Los Angeles in August 1999 and was more than pleasantly surprised at the performance of Lisa Stansfield. She's a natural actress with incredible screen comfort and grace. The ensemble was incredible and thoroughly believable. Clarence Clemmons was a very nice added touch as the "voice of reality." I was particularly intrigued with the fact that this film dealt with the hero's (Hugo Speer of "The Full Monty") desire to form an orchestra and not on a bunch of Gap Commercial dancing tazmanian devils. This film never goes in the direction you expect it to. The hero's problems are rarely through any fault of his own nor is he portrayed as a bumbling "ex con who just can't make the right choices." His character is believable, likeable and you will find yourself rooting for him. Ms. Stansfield held more than her own in this film and gave some unique, sensual and breathy renditions of "Watch The Birdie" (originally performed by Miss Anita O'Day) and "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens. Other outstanding characters are Peter Usher as Liam and Rita Tushingham as Mags. This is definitely a feel good movie and a guaranteed TOE TAPPER. Several people commented at the screening that they were very tempted to get up and dance in the aisle.