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Swingers

Movie

Director:

Doug Liman
Category:

Movie / Comedy / Drama
Writer:

Jon Favreau
Cast:

Vince Vaughn,Heather Graham,Jon Favreau
Time:

1h 36min
Budget:

$200,000
Year:

1996

This is a story about Mike, a guy who left his girl in New York when he came to LA to be a star. It's been six months since his girlfriend left him and he's not doing so good. So, his pal and some other friends try and get him back in the social scene and forget about his 6 year relationship.

Casts

Cast overview, first billed only:
	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

Swingers (1996)

The movie is loosely based on the experiences writer Jon Favreau had when he first moved to Los Angeles. He had just broken up with a long term girlfriend and counted on his friends Vince Vaughn and Ron Livingston to cheer him up. The characters they play in the film are based on themselves.

When asked to approve use of the theme music for Jaws (1975) in a scene, Steven Spielberg saw footage of Vince Vaughn and then hired him for The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997).

The "Bear" monologue that Trent (Vince Vaughn) delivers to Mike (Jon Favreau) is almost verbatim something Vince told Jon one night at a bar. Favreau liked it a lot and incorporated it into the script.

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 dialogue shots later. But Director Doug Liman decided instead to film the entire scene on the 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.

The exterior and interior of Mike Peters' (Jon Favreau's) apartment was the actual building and room in which Jon lived at the time this movie was filmed. Favreau's downstairs neighbor was actor Adam Scott.

When Director Doug Liman first sent the script to studios, they were interested in financing it. When Liman said he wanted to cast the writer and his friends as actors, the studios backed off. The money to shoot the film was raised independently and Liman cast who he liked.

Some of the bar scenes were shot in actual bars during business hours. A sign was posted near where they were shooting warning patrons that if they came any closer, they would be unpaid extras in the film.

The relationship between the characters played by Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn mirrors their one in real-life. The two are best friends.

The scene in which Trent (Vince Vaughn) angrily yells at Sue (Patrick Van Horn), after Sue insulted Mike (Jon Favreau), was written specifically at Vince's request. Vaughn wanted to show that beneath Trent's bravado and swagger, he truly cared for Mike as a friend.

Since the filmmakers couldn't afford to pay extras, the scenes filmed at parties were filmed at actual parties that were taking place, with many Hollywood up-and-comers in attendance. Among the people in the crowd of the first party (who turn and look at the group as they enter): Screenwriters Stephen Gaghan and Mike White.

The 1964 Convertible Mercury Comet Caliente driven by Vince Vaughn was owned by Jon Favreau.

When the main characters are first seen playing video games in Trent's apartment, Reservoir Dogs (1992) and Taxi Driver (1976) posters can be seen on the walls. Later, Trent and Mike argue about Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino, and whether Tarantino copies or pays homage to Scorsese's work. The next scene is a deliberate tribute to Reservoir Dogs' iconic opening scene of the main characters walking in slow motion. Later, the famous Goodfellas (1990) long shot of Henry and Karen walking through the kitchen and into the club is emulated by Trent and Mike.

According to Jon Favreau, the reason Mike opens his empty fridge is because Doug Liman said that the scene was too dark and they needed the light.

The crew shot at the Derby with actual customers as unpaid extras. It was awkward for Jon Favreau, who admitted that he had probably (unsuccessfully) hit on some of the women who were being filmed. He also had to tell a man who sat down next to Heather Graham to leave so that the Mike/Lorraine meet cute could be shot.

Jon Favreau wrote the screenplay in two weeks, with various friends in mind for key roles.

The line "You're so money came from a Spike Lee/Michael Jordan commercial. The director kept calling the basketball player "money" in the Nike advertisements. Jon Favreau saw those commercials, but the first time he ever heard someone describe something as "money" in real-life, was when Vince Vaughn said it on the set of Rudy. Potential investors and studios wanted to get rid of the "money"s, "honey"s, and "baby"s.

The Reservoir Dogs (1992) scene was shot at two in the morning in an alley behind a 7-Eleven, in just three takes.

The shots taken from the hood of the car in Las Vegas were done without a proper permit. The interior of the casino was not the Stardust as the exterior shots imply, but was instead a downtown casino that they paid money to use for the evening.

The scene where Mike talks to his answering machine was supposed to be a running joke throughout the movie. But all of the other scenes got cut in editing.

Due to a lack of money, Doug Liman shot the film on an Aaton 35, a "small documentary-style 35mm camera" that "sounds like a sewing machine." He wrapped a down jacket around the camera, then wrapped a down comforter around the jacket so that it wouldn't make so much noise. Favreau said it was as if he was acting in front of a giant snowball.

Trent, Mikey, Sue, Rob, and Charles represent the five members of the original Rat Pack: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, Joey Bishop, and Sammy Davis, Jr.

Friends of the crew lived in the Hollywood Hills on Temple Hill Drive. Two of the four residents, Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen, produced the Twilight movies. Also in attendance were actors Mike White and Adam Scott, Jon Favreau's downstairs neighbor at the time. Scott had no idea what all the cameras were for.

Jon Favreau and his friends gave reader's theater performances of the script to drum up interest in and capital for the movie.

Jon Favreau learned how to swing dance for the movie. For a month, he and Heather Graham rehearsed at her house, and at the Derby.

The release of the film coincided with the swing revival of the 1990s. It increased interest in 1940s culture, Hollywood nightlife, and swing music. Some of the slang used in the film became popular in the years following its release, especially the use of the word "money" as a catch-all term of approval or quality. The exclamation "Vegas, baby!" also became a common quote when referencing the city. The film also gave exposure to the term "Wingman" in its social interaction context.

The answering machine scene was inspired by a comedy routine by Jeff Garlin.

A bar scene involving a live rabbit at the Derby had to be cut, due to outrage from the establishment.

The word "fuck" is used 95 times, "bitch" is used 31 times, and "asshole" 13 times.

Among the many studio notes that Jon Favreau received from potential bidders were to nix the Vegas scenes, change Trent into a woman, have Trent played by Johnny Depp, and/or to cast Chris O'Donnell or Jason Priestley.

Director Doug Liman felt that the answering machine scene contained too many messages. Jon Favreau was confident that it was the right number of messages-though he admitted, "The crew was not very entertained by it."

Released in the U.S. the day before Jon Favreau's 30th birthday.

The scene when the guys walk past the line to get into a bar is resembling the steadicam shot in Goodfellas (1990) when Henry Hill and his wife walk into the restaurant. As a matter of fact, they talk about the movie Goodfellas (1990) and this actual shot early in the movie.

In the bar scene, Rob (Ron Livingston) and Mike (Jon Favreau) order a Dewar's on the rocks and a Budweiser . In Sea of Love (1989), Al Pacino and John Goodman's characters ordered the same drinks.

The diner scene at the beginning of the movie was at the Best Western Hotel at 6141 Franklin Avenue in Hollywood.

The scene where the guys are hanging out in Sue's apartment playing video hockey- the game is EA Sports NHL '94 for Sega Genesis.

Trent's license plate THX 1138 is the same as THX 1138 (1971).

One scene, in which Trent yells at Sue for insulting Mike, was written at Vince Vaughn's request to make it clear that beneath Trent's swagger, he truly cared for Mike as a friend.

A Reservoir Dogs (1992) poster can also be seen in one of the scenes.

Charles (Alex Désert) says he didn't get a part on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993). He'd later work with one of its cast members, Terry Farrell on Becker (1998).

Vernon Vaughn: Vince Vaughn's father plays the lucky gambler at the one hundred dollar minimum blackjack table.

Joan Favreau: Jon Favreau's grandmother is the lucky gambler at the five dollar minimum blackjack table.

Nicole LaLoggia: The film's Line Producer plays two roles. She plays Michelle's voice on the phone, and she appears as one of the bar patrons at the Derby (the brunette sitting to the right of Trent when Mike leaves the table).

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy: The retro swing band in the climactic club dance.

Saberdragon

Let me preface this review by saying that this is my favorite film of all time. I'm not saying it was the best, most artistic, original, or most innovative...but it is my favorite. It's a movie about a 20-something man getting over a nasty break-up, living in Los Angeles. Pretty simple stuff, but the honesty in the film is amazing. This film boasts the most realistic, and interesting depictions of male friendship I've ever seen. Some might simply pawn this movie off as a buddy flick, but it goes so much deeper than that. Mikey (Favreau) deals with insecurity, rejection, depression, an overwhelming feeling of inadequacy. Something almost everyone can relate to. And, as an audience member, you live and die with the poor guy. The supporting cast is very strong, popping in and out as the assortment of friends populating Mikey's social life. Each is trying, in his own way, to get their buddy out of his post-break up funk, which meet with varying degrees of success. Swingers is chock full of laugh-out-loud moments, and oft-quoted lines ("Our baby's all grows up!") that could very easily lead to repeated viewings of this masterpiece.

Burilar

Money! Having lived the life of Mike, this movie hits home. No gig, no girl...no self esteem... Hangin with the boys. Who hasn't been there? A virtual plethora of one liners and quotes for guys (this is definitely a guy flick) in their 20's and 30's. Who hasn't left a relationship only to wallow in guilt and self doubt. Especially when you find out the ex is seeing someone else. Add to this the inability to land a decent paying gig, living alone in an unfamiliar town, and having bunch of condescending clowns as your support group and its no wonder that poor Mike was about to return to Queens with his tail between his legs.

The best part of this film is the self transformation of Mike from the pitiful whiner holed up in his apartment for days after Sue tells him what a loser he is, to the Bear spotting the Bunny (literally) from the other side of the bar. Though Mike is constantly hearing and taking advise from his posse...ultimately, it is himself who shows that through his own experiences (ball room dance lessons with the ex) and his own strengths of honesty, charm and charisma that he proves he is indeed, money, and lands him the beautiful baby Lorraine. "It is so on" as the hilarious Trent (scene stealer Vince Vaughn) first spots the pensive conversation between Mike and Lorraine. (Heather Graham) The looks on Trent's and Sue's faces are priceless as they spy Mike and his beautiful baby working the dance floor to Big Bad Voodoo Daddy's "Go Daddy O". I don't think I have ever seen Ms Graham look better that she does here...

"It didn't occur to me" Mike replies to Trent in the final scene when asked why he didn't call the ex back. Amazing what a little confidence (and a dance with a hot blonde) can do for guy!

This is a hilarious movie about real guys (you have known somebody like every character in this film!) set against the surreal back drop of the then-hip LA swing scene in the mid 90's doing what they do best....10 out of 10

Tuliancel

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

Drelajurus

I saw that someone commented this is the perfect guy movie. I'd like to add that it's not just for guys. The characters in it are just as easy to relate to for girls. If you think girls don't pathetically chase after guys the same way the men of Swingers were going after girls, you need to get out more.(Not meant to be an insult.) My favorite character in it (though I love them all) is Rob. His insecurity is cute, but of course he's also a loyal friend. You can't beat that. And I love the goofy quote. "Hi, Mom. I'm goofy. Send more money." That's great! This is one of those movies that I love to watch over and over again. I will never get sick of it. Plus my husband (then boyfriend) introduced me to it so of course I love it. He even picked me up from my classes once by yelling, "Hey, do you know where all the high school girls hang out??" from across the street. This movie was incredibly funny and deserves a lot more praise than it gets.

Akisame

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)

betelgeuze

This is a hilarious film about nobodies claiming to be bigger than they ever will be!

Doug Liman showed much promise and I'm more than sure that one day he will continue to make bigger budget films (Bourne Identity)

Careers should also be good for the great Jon Favreau who is just a fantastically witty writer, Vince Vaughn who should get a headlining film and Ron Livingston who is still performing good roles.

I love the script in this film, the language is unique and the scenarios are superb... the sad fact is that there are hundreds of guys like Trent, Mike, Rob & Sue (played by Patrick Van Horn)

I urge everybody to watch this even though it might not be there cup of tea!

9/10

Lahorns Gods

"The point is, Mike, that it all depends on how you look at it."

Swingers is the quintessential guy movie. Not to say that a woman won't enjoy it, or that it's a stereotypical collection of all the things that men are supposed to love in movies, like a non-stop testosterone-fueled orgy of naked women, explosions, and violence.

Nope, Swingers is the quintessential guy movie because almost every guy can relate to at least part of it at some time during his life. The uncertainty about your career, the lingering pain of losing a girlfriend you truly loved, the camaraderie (and annoyances) of your friends, the frustrating world of dating and the games and "rules" that come along with it, and the feeling of that moment when you finally realize that your life can go on without that other person it revolved around so long.

The story focuses on Mike (Jon Favreau), an aspiring comedian in Los Angeles who has recently gone through a break-up with his long-term girlfriend back east, and his group of friends. Most of whom try to help Mike get over his break-up by meeting women in and around L.A. and Las Vegas. Especially his two best friends, ladies man Trent (Vince Vaughn) and Rob (Ron Livingston) Most of the movie follows the group on their nightly romps through the city, or Mike as he struggles with the loss of the relationship that he was very much invested in.

I enjoyed the casual conversations the guys had about women, video games, their job efforts, and other things. Swingers really nailed the dynamics of how guys act with each other.

It's also pretty funny, though it's not a total comedy by any means. A lot of the humor derives from Mike's painful attempts to talk to women, after six long years off the market. There's a really hysterical sequence about Mike and a woman's answering machine later in the movie that will have you howling.

I got the sense that Swingers is the kind of movie that holds up well after repeated viewings, and maybe even gets better. It's not amazing, or anything like that, but it is hard to imagine anyone (especially guys aged 20-29) not appreciating it.

Shaktizragore

Upon hearing about this movie from friends, I was told that it was "money". They were right. This is "so money and they don't even know it." Entertaining comedy about letting go, and finding new romance and who your real friends are. Enough one-liners to quote for years, friends still quote it today! Nothing but beautiful babies, and a great upbeat soundtrack to get you dancing!

Shadowbourne

This film could prove that nice guys "don't" finish last. A truly great and funny movie. The movie is basically about getting a nightlife, friendship and picking up girls. The movie centers on Mike (Jon Favreau). A very brave but not cocky young man who constantly dwells on his ex-girlfriend and unsuccessfully attempts to rekindle his love life. Trent (Vince Vaughn) is always there to give him encouragement and inspiration. In someways Trent is the star of this movie. He has a strong screen presence and is extremely funny.

This movie teaches us to always double down on an eleven in black jack and how many days to wait before you call the girl for the first time. The greatest scene in this movie has to be when Trent and Sue are talking to Mike in the lounge and are trying to encourage Mike to ask a girl at the bar for her phone number. The "big bad bear and little bunny" analogy they use is hilarious.

You have to feel happy for Mike when he meets Lorraine (Heather Graham) at the end of the movie. We see Trent and Sue watching their buddy in amazement but we know that they are truly proud of him. Mike really was money and he didn't even know it.

Weiehan

I chanced upon Swigers one evening after reading an article on writer/star Jon Favreau, and trying to figure out which character he played in Friends (it's Pete Becker by the way); don't you love it when you uncover a gem. From the opening credits, set to Dean Martin crooning "You're Nobody Until Somebody Loves You", I knew that this film was the very personification of cool, spawning one of the coolest characters in any film...ever, that being Trent Walker played by Vince Vaughn, with a swinging soundtrack and a real sense of fun which you don't often get in mainstream Hollywood; and this film is effortless in a way which Tarantino could only dream about.

The story centres around Favreau's loser-in-love Mikey, trying to make a living as an actor in L.A after leaving his long-term girlfriend behind in New York. His best buddy, Trent, tries incessantly to get Mikey back 'into the game' so to speak; cue a trawl around L.A's hippest night-spots, some hilarious insight into dating rituals (when is it cool to call? 2 days?), and a trip to Las Vegas in which Trent tries to 'pull a Fredo' (bedding cocktail waitresses two at a time). The central duo are ably supported by a cast of lovable rogues, all intent on getting laid.

Doug Liman directs in a laid-back manner, befitting of the film, and Favreau's script (based on Vaughn and himself) is full of witty insights and in-jokes, as well as enough movie references to keep everyone happy.

Although the characters are almost impossibly cool, they never appear obnoxious due to the over-riding sense that they are just a bunch of lovable losers trying to con their way into the beds of L.A's female population; sometimes succeeding, sometimes not, and there is a certain sweetness added by Favreau's predicament. The pay-off is cool, Favreau finally 'getting digits' and we are left with a role-reversal between the two main protagonists as Trent makes a fool of himself with a woman in the closing scene.

Altogether a classy, breezy, often hilarious film, a certain cult classic, and a fine addition to the date movie genre.

Hatе&love

Swingers is just about the coolest film on the planet. It's so laid back it's horizontal. There aren't enough words in a thesaurus to describe how good this movie is! Watch and enjoy. The direction from Doug Liman is awesome and the acting matches. It's funny but not in your face, it's hip but doesn't care and it just makes for a great picture. Heather Graham looks gorgeous at the end as an added bonus for the guys too!

Reemiel

I really don't understand why so many people think this movie is fun. I thought it absolutely boring, annoying and utterly tedious. After plodding through the first 30 minutes or so I zapped to some of the remaining scenes in the hope to catch at least one funny moment, but nothing there, so I switched it off. I will now write this review and then erase it from my memory forever.

This is not a film but an extended sitcom episode full of the worst of the genre. The only reason I give it more than 1 star is that Thank God at least they didn't include canned laughter.

The characters are ultra boring, their conversations are empty, flat, repetitive, decidedly non-funny, and annoying to the point where you cover your ears to avoid screaming . There is no plot, no development, no humour whatsoever. Just to take the Vegas casino scene - it is so predictable, so obvious, so slow, so pathetic in its painful attempts to scream in our faces 'Look How Funny I Am!' that I felt personally insulted. And all that after first having to sit through an endless scene where the guys sit in the car on the road to Vegas and basically do nothing else but repeat the word 'Vegas' a million time in the same droning voices. Yeah, I really needed to see that.

Is this humour? It feels more like a permanent hangover. Get a life.

fG

Yellow Judge

...namely, the plot of this movie. What was this movie supposed to be about? Given the sensationalism that surrounds this film whenever it comes up in a conversation, I really expected to sit and be entertained and laugh hysterically. Neither happened. There's this little clique of guys that seem to know everyone in Hollywood (other aspiring actors and club bouncers) yet are unable to get employment. The group goes from party to club to apartment (where they call each other 'bitch' while playing video games). As a bonus for the moviegoer sitting through this wretch of a production, Mike, the main character, has this annoying emotional baggage he carries around, and it goes on and on and on ad nauseum. I finally reached my breaking point when he left his seventh message on the answering machine IN A ROW. I walked out on this movie, and I was on an airplane! Two thumbs down!

Ausstan

Actually this film scores a Zero. It's utter tripe, total excrement. There, I had to get that over and said.

The only people I knew were Vince Vaughn and Heather Graham. I did know the guy playing Mike, but I never know his name. Isn't the black guy who "didn't get the part in Deep Space Nine" the same chap who plays the blind guy in the American sitcom Becker?.

Basically this is a film with no plot, no storyline and nothing happening the whole time. Someone described it as a real guy movie? Dude, nothing happens in the film ever.

We basically follow the life of a guy (who calls himself an actor and comedian but we never see any evidence of either) bitching about a relationship that ended over 6 months ago (get over it!), and his friends who just go out on the club and party scene to try and meet women - mostly with no intent to ever follow up.

This film is described as an attempt to create a modern day film in the style of The Rat Pack. Which it doesn't do. The film really doesn't do anything. Even when Mike finally meets a girl in a bar (Heather Graham who looks stunning in the 1950's style hair, make-up and clothes) and his ex girlfriend rings him he ignores her to speak to Graham.

We never find out what happens to either relationship as the film ends abruptly after a really awful scene in a diner where Vaughn thinks a women is coming on to him when she is actually entertaining her baby.

There is no start, no middle and no end to this film. There is no film, but it still managed to go on for 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Avoid this. I'd sooner see Best Defence or Ishtar, and they are bloody dire. So that's saying something. Even fans of Vaughn and Graham are advised to give this one a miss. How they ever sold the idea to a production studio or got anyone to finance this is beyond me.

Ylonean

That is not a mis-quote. I hated this movie. I hated every character in the film. This movie is an affront to modern civilization. Gee, good looking white guys trying to live like the rat pack. Give me a break. This movie reeks.

Mitars Riders

If there is a more vile, boring, wretched movie that has ever sprung from a festering cesspool of a writer's imagination, I have yet to see it. There is no plot to speak of, a bunch of painfully two-dimensional drunkards float from party to party and call each other "money". The writer, after apparently waking up in his own vomit and blearily looking at his typewriter and realizing this attempted to force a plot by having one of the character wave a gun at some straight-edgers. While in reality this would have resulted in said character being riddled with bullets (as myself and everyone in the room was eagerly hoping for), the straight-edgers just leave. End of conflict, end of plot. This movie took away precious minutes of my life that I can never have back. Save yourselves, avoid this like the plague!

crazy mashine

Nothing interesting goes on in this movie. Nothing funny. No likable characters. Terrible acting; faces like stone. Endless idiotic bickering. Even the sets are uninteresting. I gave it until the first commercial break and then let it finish as background noise while I finished a proofreading, occasionally glancing at the movie to see if the director should have changed his mind to the better, but the disappointment was the same at every glimpse. What's the idea with this movie? I don't get it. Did I overlook something? Like the director had to fill the movie with something, so I am told by the system that I have to fill in some more lines for this comment to be allowed. I hope these last phrases do the job.

DART-SKRIMER

this was a comedy?????? jon faverou at his self-important worst! a big SO WHAT to this one!!!!!! I cant even come up with the required ten lines for this most forgetable enterprise Vince Vaughn needs to shut up Oh yeah referencing goodfellas and reservoir dogs Brilliant!! when you cant come up with your own ideas reference someone elses' blah blah blah

Zyniam

To sum it up, and put it in a mild way, this movie is just horrible! The acting is pitiful, the script: absurd, the directing: pathetic, the actors: untalented, and the story is nonexistent! I hated this movie. Its stupid!!! The writer of this film felt that instead of a coherent story line, he'd use toilet-based, rock-jock jokes, tetosterone laced bumbles and moron antics to weave a nothing of a story about wannabe actors attempts to cheer up a friend whos 6-year relationship just went belly up. Yawn! So without a story, without any likable characters, without inspired directing, without talented cast and crew the viewer is left with celluloid trash! Its hard to imagine who would like this film, but there are people who do. Hummm! Most of them seem to be moron guys who are balding failures. Hummm! Whatever. Showgirls had more artistic merit!!!

SING

Warning, may contain spoilers.

First I feel compelled to agree with another reviewer in here that said that after this movie you may feel the urge to call your friends "BABY" or "MONEY". If that is the case, do not fret it, just go with the flow. There are worse things that you could call them after certain movies, like Goodfellas or Reservoir Dogs.

I think when I was about ten or twelve or fifteen, my wonder years, my only concern was to see the latest film by Spielberg or the latest sequel to First Blood and of course any number of one syllabled, one liner Arnold movies. I only wanted to see films that I recognized. When I was about fifteen, I dated a girl named Marnie, who worked at the local theater in Forest Glade in Windsor Ontario. This was convenient because not only was she pretty but she could get me into movies for free. This is the summer that I became quickly hooked on movies. I loved them before, but now I was addicted. The problem was, the only films I was privy to at the time were films like Rambo, Commando, Secret of My Success, Burgler and so on. These were all films that I enjoyed thoroughly and they acted as somewhat of a catalyst for me to see some other films that perhaps normally I would avoid. I can remember seeing David Lynch's Blue Velvet and then films like The River's Edge or even straight to video bombs like Zandalee. It doesn't matter if these films were good or not, the point is that as I grew in age, my taste and insatiable hunger for films of all types grew. I was finally ready to see the not so prime time films, the ones that may have a budget of less than $30 million. I began to appreciate films like Boyz N The Hood, Clerks, Reservoir Dogs, El Mariachi and of course Swingers. Swingers is a film that if you were pretty much into mainstream films ( in 1996 of course ), you may avoid. There were no real stars in this film. It was a film made for $200 000, and it didn't have explosions, car chases and a fight scene every five minutes. That is why films like this make 4 million dollars at the box office, there is no mass appeal to them. But when you can find a film like this on video, it makes you appreciate film for all the positive aspects of it. It makes you appreciate the fact that there are people like Jon Favreau, Doug Liman and Vince Vaughn. These are people that seem to love what they do and it is exemplified perfectly with Swingers. That is not to say that you can't enjoy films like True Lies, Titanic, Forest Gump, Hannibal and any other big budgeted Hollywood film because you can, but sometimes the best films out there are films that may not find a true audience until it hits video. Kevin Smith and Quentin Tarantino can lay claim to that fact and so does Doug Liman and Jon Favreau's Swingers. This is one of the best films to come out of 1996 and it was made for 100 times less than Titanic.

Swingers is about breaking up, how hard it is to break up, films and the Hollywood scene, friendship, guys, swing dancing and so much more. Jon Favreau plays Mikey, who has just moved out to California because his girlfriend of six years dumped him. He has been single six months but still checks his messages every day to see if she has called. He checks them so frequently that one morning while his friend Trent ( in a fantastic comedic performance by Vince Vaughn ) is in the middle of scoring with a cocktail waitress, he has to use the only phone available, the one in the bedroom. This scene is perfect but the scene to follow is even better. Mikey apologizes to Trent for ruining his good time and Trent replies,

"Don't worry about it Mikey. I just wanted to get you out and show you a good time."

or something to that effect. Friendship is important to these cast of characters. That is evident when Mikey's best friend Rob, who has also moved out to L.A. from New York, is the only one that Mikey really seems to be able to talk to. They share some very real and passionate scenes together and their talks about making it in Hollywood and learning to let go of the past are some of the best written scenes in any film. This is work similar to the candor and starkness of Smith and Tarantino. While there are times in this film when you will laugh yourself silly because of the realistic absurdity of some of the characters, you will also find yourself in awe with some of the honesty. Jon Favreau is a gifted writer and as they say, you should write with what you are familiar with. Swingers exemplifies the fact that he is very familiar with trying to break into Hollywood and how it feels to have the love of your life break up with you. There is also a very clever scene where he is talking to his ex and she tells him that she is dating a guy named Pierre. Is he french, Mikey wonders out loud to her. She tells him that he is not and I wonder if Favreau ever had that same question posed about himself with his last name.

Not only is Swingers a wonderful film about the mysteries of women, it also has two incredible homages to Reservoir Dogs and Goodfellas and without even knowing it, Halloween as well ( Goodfellas and Halloween share a very similar shot. Halloween at the beginning, Goodfellas in the restaurant ).

And of course what has to be mentioned about this film is the language used by everybody. Friends tell each other that they are gorgeous, that they are money and they refer to each other affectionately as baby. It is so catchy that when I watched this with my fiancee she was in hysterics after five minutes and we were calling each other money for the next three days.

Swingers is one of the best films of 1996. People that hold the lofty position of revered film critics and Academy members should realize these sorts of facts. While perhaps films similar to this will never see their reward at the box office, it will see new life on video and perhaps more importantly, it will thrill and invigorate a generation of movie fans.

"Your money baby!"

Swingers certainly is!

10 out of 10- This is not just a hidden gem, it is an excellent film and props have to be sent out to Favreau for writing this and Liman for directing it. I really wish that Favreau would write more films. He has a gift. Swingers is a perfect example of that gift.

One last observation: Check out the Sega hockey scene. It is absolutely hilarious. With all due respect to Gretzky, it is a treat to listen and watch someone make his head bleed ( in the game that is ).

IWAS

This film is one of my absolute all time favourites... The scene where they first talk about slow motion scene from Reservoir dogs, and then re enact it is absolutely genius!!! Another scene that I especially like is where they enter the club at the end of the film, the camera follows the guys as they walk through the kitchen into the club, excellent camera!!

I really think this movie deserves a lot more attention! There are so many hidden little hints all through the movie (e.g. they talk about the scene from Goodfellas where they walk through the kitchen, and later in the movie the guys also walk through a kitchen)

Lcena

This movie is a joke i hated it and the title "swingers" is misued, swingers are primarily couples that swap partners for intercourse, for more on this is what the encyclopedia has to say - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swinging. So two lonely guys trying to get laid in a caravan is really not representing the title of this movie at all. The acting is also at best mediocre and the "one liners" are tacky. I do not recommend this movie to anyone, it demeans swingers, single guys and single women. Looking at the comments I cannot perceive how anyone enjoyed this or found it funny, everyone to their own I guess, but don't tell me i haven't warned you

Faegal

This movie is dedicated to the audience that will feel close to the main characters. Well that could be great if the audience was not limited to a community of people living in LA. Away from the place to be where wannabes and losers walk and run in circles, there's not much to be interested in, there's no deep, universal attraction.

It's not that Jon Favreau is not good but the character he wrote keeps whining the same way all along. That shouldn't be the main character, only a comic relief IMO. Vince Vaughn is great; it's just a pity that the movie is not more demanding, his character sillier.

And obviously Doug Liman did a great job to bring an anecdotal script to life. It's certainly well shot, but there's not much substance to start with. Apart from the technical aspect of a shoestring production and that of scouting Vince Vaughn, the movie is pointless.

Mariwyn

I have heard a lot about Swingers and how funny it is, in fact I had a friend almost yell at me when he found out that I have seen so many movies but I have not seen Swingers. So, obviously, I had to save the friendship, :P, so I went out to rent this. I am going to feel so bad about what to tell my friend because I really didn't get too into Swingers.

I can see why this is a cult classic, I would never deny that it wasn't a good movie. I just really didn't laugh, there were a couple moments where I laughed very lightly, that was it. But the scene where Mike calls that girl Niki like 10 times to leave stupid messages, I laughed, but it was just so painful to watch. Now, I love Vince Vaughn, he is just a crazy and funny comedic actor, but I found him to be a little bit annoying in this movie. I don't mind repeated lines every once in a while, but "money" was just way too over used.

Like I said, I'm not calling this a bad movie, because I can see why people got so into it, but I just didn't really enjoy it. I might give it a second shot just to see if there is anything there. Hopefully there is, otherwise my friend might question my expertise in movies. :D

3/10

Corgustari

After hearing tons and tons of great reviews and recommendations i thought i would give this film a try, and seeing as Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau are, at the moment, some of the best comedy performers/directors in Hollywood, i was really waiting to be amazed by Swingers.

All i can say is what a letdown! The first 20 minutes had me going as i was getting into the swing of things but the movie just appeared to drag on and on and half way through the movie i simply didn't care. The acting is spot-on and the chemistry between the two main characters is unique, what this film lacked was it's storyline.

Swingers dragged on so much that i nearly drifted off into a deep sleep, and this was half 2 in the afternoon. I turned the film off after an hour, hugely disappointed and in disbelief that this was the film that made these two actors who they are today.

Swingers may be fun for a lot of people but it certainly wasn't for me, and it has been one of the most disappointing films i have seen for a long time.

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