Review of Swingers (2009) by Christopher S — 26 Aug 2011

Prepare for one hell of a ride when you sit down to watch Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn paint the town red in Swingers. Mike (Favreau) is a down on his luck actor and comedian who is heartbroken over his lack of contact with his girlfriend of six years. His best friend, Trent (Vaughn), tries desperately to help him out by taking him out on the town and getting him back in the game. The film follows Mike, Trent, and their other screwball friends as they invade the neo-lounge scene looking for chicks, booze, and a good time. It surely sounds like a dull concept that can't go anywhere, but with the fast driving dialogue and hip acting the film becomes a masterpiece of suave and a pitch perfect portrayal the Los Angeles night life.

Slick, smooth, and suave. That's what Swingers is. But it's not a film that gets too wrapped up in itself and it never forgets that it is a comedy. And what a comedy it is! Even in its most seemingly sincere moments Swingers is still hysterical, whether through irony or satire. It's also a higher quality brand of humor. It is true wit and true intelligence used to get a big laugh. This is a movie where you have to be hip to pop culture as there are a lot of movie references and things like that. If you don't get the reference then you don't understand the joke, thus you feel left out. But if you are savvy with those types of things then you will surely love Swingers for all of its clever humor used in uniquely hilarious ways.

This film really succeeds not because it is just really funny, but because it follows a golden rule of comedy. Characters. Most of the time the characters in a comedy will do certain things just to get a laugh and they are things no normal person would ever do. Rather than actual human characters they are more vehicles for ridiculous jokes and situations. Swingers, on the other hand, does not fall victim to this common comedy occurrence. What's so great about the film is that the characters are all so real and convincing. When I watch this movie I feel like I am watching Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn out at a bar enjoying themselves. The characters in this film talk, act, and interact exactly how you would expect a group of young guys like them to act. Nothing is forced or over the top in this movie. Swingers is a film that produces an uncanny amount of authenticity, with incredibly entertaining results. Great performances from Ron Livingston, Patrick Van Horn and Heather Graham, even though she's promoted as a big part of the film, She only shows up for about 20 mins, but it's an important part in giving this film the necessary closure.

This is a film all about the characters and dialogue. If it hadn't hit those two elements right on the nose then it wouldn't be half the amazing film that it is. I loved every second of this 90 minute film and I'm sure I'll spend plenty of time quoting the movie, calling this and that "So money!" Seldom do you find comedies this smart and this hilarious at the same time. This film only furthers my longing to live in LA now that I've seen such a perfectly authentic portrayal of the bouncing and wild night life that Swingers details.