Swingers

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.

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.

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

Sometimes a movie doesn't have to be flashy or have incredible production value for it to still invoke intense feelings in me. I never lived in Los Angeles or went to flashy clubs like they did in the movie but the way it was shot felt so raw and brought me back to younger days with the men out in college and post-college 20s. This movie might not resonate as much with women but it makes me feel like going back to my friend group from that time. I can see why Jon Favreau caught his big break with this one because he was able to take his true story and make it feel so authentic in the film. I was very surprised by how much I liked this film based on the low quality of lighting and shots but if the screenplay hits so well and resonates with me sometimes that's all it takes to bump up the rating. 4/5 stars.

This movie is just pure good vibes. As a woman, I couldn't stop giggling the entire time it honestly felt like I was eavesdropping on a group of guys having "guy talk." I have no idea how accurate it is, but I'll definitely ask some guys to confirm it for me, haha

If you're here looking for a movie with a deep plot or intricate storyline, let me save you some time this is not that movie, no no

That said, I loved all the characters! The acting was spot-on, even though I didn't recognize any of the cast. Call me uncultured, but yeah, they crushed it

So lay down watch the movie and enjoy the fun of it.