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:

The scene with Mike and Trent talking in the car on the side of the road was also filmed without a permit (not only could the production not afford one, it is actually impossible for any film production to acquire one to film on that particular highway). Originally they had planned to film just an establishing shot of the two of them in the car, and a shot of them driving away, and then film the dialog shots later. But director Doug Liman decided instead to film the entire scene on the actual side of the road. During filming, several police showed up, and demanded to see a permit. The assistant director held up the police by telling them that they had a permit, but it was in the office across town, several miles away. To get away with the rest of the scene being filmed, Liman had to pretend he was not filming, and didn't look in the viewfinder, and used a microphone inside of the car instead of a boom. Most of the scene was filmed like this, with the police waiting just out of shot, and the two actors and the director pretending they were in fact not shooting.

Goofs:

Continuity: While Trent tells the story of his audition, Mike and "the Dorothy girl" are holding hands, but not in her close-ups.

Quotes:

Trent: So, what'd you think of that Dorothy girl?
Mike: The whole Judy Garland thing kinda turned me on. Does that make me some kind of fag?
Trent: No, baby, you're money.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Office: Dunder Mifflin Infinity (#4.2)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Paid for Loving

As enjoyable as any film in recent memory.

I think a few of the readers who have commented on this film seem to be missing the point. While it can be said that this movie has no plot to speak of and no central point to it, my response is: so what? Not every movie is made to teach you how to live your life. Some of us can watch a movie simply for the pure enjoyment of listening to characters interact. Swingers does a better job of achieving this than the majority of movies ever made. Anybody can make Godzilla or Independence Day, but it takes a truly special movie to become a "cult hit" with nothing more at it's disposal than no-name actors (at the time) and catchy dialogue. This movie was the springboard for virtually every actor in it, with each going on to more well known parts.

Ok, enough preaching, pure and simple this movie is great. Vince Vaughn's character is one of the most likable characters you'll see in a movie. Even if you have nothing in common with someone like him, you can't help but like him. He's hilarious, smooth, and a loyal friend, and he has some of the most quotable lines in the movie. Everyone else on this site has quoted it time and again, so no need for me to, but let's just say it's funny stuff. John Favreau's character, Mikey, makes you laugh while at the same time wanting to slap him for being so stupid. There's so many funny scenes in this movie, I can't even begin to describe them. But the best by far always involve Vaughn, and the part where he's in the trailer describing his experience auditioning for a pilot is classic. You know he's feeding the girls a line the whole time, but it's so convincing and everyone is so in awe of him, it's hysterical. And when Mikey tries to act cool in front of the waitresses they meet, and fails to do so, only to see Trent tell them he's a producer and watch them swoon, I can't see how people don't find that funny.

Anyways, if you haven't seen this movie yet, do yourself a favor and go rent it. The buildup offered on this site is only a fraction of what you'll actually get out of watching it. 10+/10