Title: Swingers
Rating: 5 Stars
Here's another film that I haven't watched in decades. When I last watched it, I remember loving it. Re-watching it now, I wondered if, now that I'm much older, if I would still enjoy it as much.
The short answer is yes.
A short summary of the plot is that Mike's (Jon Favreau) six year relationship with his girlfriend ended when he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a comedian. At best marginally successful as a comedian, he is mired in a post breakup depression. He constantly checks his answering machine (the film was released in 1996) hoping for a message from his ex-girlfriend. He can't just to get over her.
His three friends Trent (Vince Vaughn), Rob (Ron Livingston), and Sue (Patrick Van Horn) are patiently trying to pull Mike out of his malaise to meet another woman. With trips to Las Vegas, visits to their local favorite bars, and house parties, they prove unsuccessful. It's only when Mike is at his truest, most vulnerable self that he begins to heal.
For such a simple film, why do I like it so much? First of all, the acting is tremendous. These are breakout roles for Favreau, Vaughn, and Livingston. Vaughn, as the tall, handsome, smooth-talking ladies man, is perfect. Favreau, even though he achieves later fame directing the two Iron Man films, is the epitome of a sensitive, caring, temporarily broken man. With a performance like this, Favreau could have carved out a career as a slightly offbeat leading man.
There are moments of comedy that were so cringe inducing (in a good way) that I could barely watch. Mike and Trent trying to behave like big shots at a Las Vegas high stakes table. Mike leaving increasingly unhinged late night phone messages to a woman that he just met. Mike approaching a woman at a house party where she immediately condescendingly asks him what he drives (a Chevelle, but it's red, like that somehow makes it better).
As Mike flails with women, you learn how sideways all of their careers are going. Mike, a comedian, has maybe one acting credit and hosts an open mike night once a week. Trent, tall and handsome, knocks an audition out of the park only to be told that the role is actually for an eleven year old (supposedly based upon a true Vaughn story). Rob, who just a couple of months ago performed in Hamlet in an off Broadway play, tries and fails to get a part playing Goofy at Disneyland.
Despite all of that, they have each other. Even if they are just sitting around playing video games, they enjoy their time together.
That's probably the reason why I love this film so much. Don't get me wrong. I never talked in their LA hipster patois. Other than a brief fling, I was never into swing music. Although they don't look or act like I ever did, this film is simply a perfect depiction of twenty-something male friendship. When I was their age, I had a tall, handsome, smooth-talking friend just like Trent. We had relationships with women start and end. We all were just getting started in careers with a doubtful future ahead of us. When I first watched this film, it deeply resonated with me. Even now, decades later, when I watched the film, I was able to look back with nostalgia.
To keep up with a film centered around young males, there were a couple of scenes that were straight homages to films that young men of that time would have completely understood. There was a scene of the group of them walking down an alley that was an homage to the beginning of Reservoir Dogs. There was a one take, moving camera scene following them as they maneuver through the back of a restaurant / club that was a homage to a similar scene in Goodfellas.
In short, even though the film is dated now in its trends, if women ever want to understand how a tight bond of male friends behave when they're alone, they could do much worse than to watch this film.
Great example of male friendship, playing video games, almost fighting, now bros
Trent and Sue weeping watching Favreau dance
Cringe moments: Vegas, ask what kind of car you drive, don't ever call me again
30 years later, I still remember those times and smile
Trip to Las Vegas, trying to act cool, failing miserably
Stupid advice about women, how many days to call
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