Swing

Where would a jealous cop try to forment a riot in a hotel to win his wife back from the leader of a swing band? In contemporary Liverpool, if this film is to be believed. Mind you, it also asks us to believe that the same band leader, who's a Catholic, vows to bring up his kids as protestants in return for the use of a band hall. _Swing_ can't seem to make up its mind whether it wants to be a zany comedy of a piece of naturalism in the British Social Realist tradition, and this schizophrenia often irritates. It's got some entertaining scenes , though, some great music and good acting, particularly from the sexy Lisa Stansfield.

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.

I had barely heard of this film when I caught the trailer in front of another video. Since I love swing music, enjoyed Hugo Speer in "The Full Monty" and like Lisa Stansfield's singing, I gave it a try and was not dissappointed.

The story of an ex-con organizing a swing band is like "The Commitments" only not as crunchy. But while it's unravelling, particularly during the musical numbers, there's little time to complain. The whole thing is really a fairy tale, with a demented lottery winner as fairy godmother and Stansfield's possessive husband--the cop who had arrested Speers three years earlier--as wicked witch.

Stansfield's singing of some classic jazz and soul numbers is simply terrific. And Speers turns in a kinetic performance that could make him a star if anybody else sees this film.

I watched this film on it's first showing in Great Yarmouth .The film starts a little slowly but really gets going when Oi comes on the scene. James Hicks, as the skinhead, was one of the key roles. Lisa gave a great performance and should sing more jazz. I really enjoyed the "feel good" nature of the show.

What a great date movie! I saw "Swing" at the Wine Country Film Festival. I arrived vaguely downhearted and left feeling alright with the world; in my book, any film that accomplishes that is worth seeing. Within a minute of the credits I knew I was in for a good time, and by the film's exuberant end I hadn't been the slightest let down.

"Swing" doesn't take itself too seriously, and as a result it avoids the cloying sweetnes that has started to creep into the Full Monty's (which film I loved) progeny. It reminded me of some of my favorite Australian comedies --" Strictly Ballroom," "Priscilla, Queen of the Dessert" and "Muriel's Wedding" come to mind -- as well as, oddly enough, the sitcom "Seinfeld."

Why? Probably because I was as charmed and entertained by the characters, their foibles and imperfections, as I was by the circumstances in which they found themselves. The humor was dark here and there, and often skewer-sharp, but it wasn't mean-spirited, which I especially appreciated; too often nowadays lazy writers reach for laughs through the cheapest shot. "Swing" left me with the kind of warm glow I get at the best family reunions or holiday meals.

"Swing" also provides an energizing soundtrack, really smooth, accessible cinematography and one of the funnier Liverpool jokes I've heard in years.