Swingers
June 21st 2007 00:21
Swingers! I watched it after it first came out, in '96 or '97... entering university, my friends and I wanted to quote the hell out of the movie. And we did, lamely, making ourselves appear tragically unhipper than we already were.
'Baby, you're so money. You've got all the beautiful babies looking at you right now.'
In reality, no one was looking at us, and we certainly weren't money. We'd order a bowl of fries from the campus bar, not tip, then talk about asking out the pretty waitress. What' s the opposite of being money?
Written by Jon Favreau and directed by Doug Liman, Swingers would go on to launch the careers of Liman, but especially Favreau and co-star, Vince Vaughn, who's currently so popular, he's part of the new Frat Pack.
What made the film so refreshing was the dialogue, which is probably some of the most naturally realistic, witty dialogue about men trying to get their game on. These guys play by the rules, try to appear hip and toy with women.
Favreau would go on to make other movies, but none of them captured the energy of this one. I imagine it's because Swingers was made as a very personal story, and once Favreau made it rich, he had no more pain to draw upon.
Watching it again, I appreciated it for something totally different. Liman and Favreau made this movie as an homage to their favourite films, mimicking scenes from Reservoir Dogs and Goodfellas. On their tiny budget, they made LA look gangster-crossed-with-Rat-Pack glamourous.
Also, initially, my friends and I laughed at Favreau's character, the lovetorn Mikey Peters, a struggling comedian that can't get over his breakup with his ex-girlfriend. The cat everyone loved was Vaughn's character, Trent, fast-talking, smooth, oddly successful with women.
Now, to watch it, the strength of the movie rests with Mikey, who wants to cut through all the pre-fabricated rules of dating, and just get comfortable with someone. When he tries too hard, he feels self-conscious and unnatural, which makes him look like a loser.
Trent, on the other hand, is happy to play by the rules, making waves with 'all the beautiful babies', but he's still a fresh-faced kid playing at an adults game. Trent's slick facade only comes down in his genuine concern for Mikey, which is his redeeming character.
In fact, the redeeming quality of the entire film is that these boys are real people, with real weaknesses. While the movie plays out like a glamourous tribute to Sinatra and Scorcese, this group of friends is subjected to fear, anxiety, loneliness, false overconfidence and aggression, which makes it unique enough to be on the Favourites list of men and women across the world.
I say: A terrific look inside the male brotherhood... it's all here, the posing, the shallow talks, the video games. Definitely one for the collection.
See it for: All the rejection...
| 85 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Its interesting how films can change when you revisit them.
Swingers has a cracking script that lifts it above most romantic comedies. The movie references seem fluid, the dialogue is natural rather than trying to be clever.
Glad it stood up for you.
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Comment by Trina
Hiphop
Confessions of a Serial Dancer
Competitions
Clubbing
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Was it Swingers that filmed scenes in actual clubs without telling anyone because their budget was so low??? Or am I confusing it with another movie?? (which is likely)
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Was it Swingers that filmed scenes in actual clubs without telling anyone because their budget was so low??? Or am I confusing it with another movie?? (which is likely)
Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
... this place is dead anyway...
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
kylie, not sure... they were pretty low budget, under $300 000...
trina, definitely one to watch! The swing music bothers me a little, though...
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
One of my favorite movies of all times... so quotable. Great post
Mis
Comment by Miss Natalie
Your so money!
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak