Not as well known as his later hits, "The Swap" shows Paul Thomas's serious approach to Adult filmmaking early in his stint directing for Vivid Video.
With IVF in the headlines lately thanks to right-wing efforts to abolish it along with so many other aspects surrounding their crusade against abortion, the subject of infertility is the core of Airel Hart's screenplay (using a pseudonym "Ashley Richards"). The movie stars two couples: Jennifer Stewart & Joel Lawrence, plus Sharon Kane & Jerry Butler. Joel and Jerry are business partners, and of the four of them, Joel has low sperm count and Kane has feritlity issues.
Jerry comes up with the idea of swapping partners: He will make love to Jennifer and then all four of them will share custody of the baby, if they're successful. Not everyone is crazy about the idea, and even Greg is not sold on it, as he and Jennifer don't get along in the first place.
Out of desperation, they all finally agree, and Jerry & Jennifer begin a regular program of lovemaking, earnestly aiming at having a baby. Amidst the arguing, the other spouses get jealous, and finally Joel f*cks Sharon after they watch "Dumbo" on TV!
The balance of sincere drama over the issue and clever rom-com antics (especially when Joel & Sharon are caught in the act of making love, not part of the quartet's agreement) make this an enjoyable movie, better than many mainstream rom-coms. A 12-person orgy takes place halfway through the show (with our quartet merely watching, surprised at the type of party they were invited to attend), perhaps a sop to porn fans, as PT treats the other sex scenes tastefully in line with the story.
