Swingers (R, 1996)

common sense media says

Funny modern comedy of manners and cool.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this film contains a lot of very strong language, which the main characters use freely. Mike and Trent spend a lot of the film discussing women in unflattering ways. Although there are no scenes of nudity, but ther'is a scene where Mike interrupts Trent and a woman during sex. Much of the film takes place in bars, and the main characters drink a lot of alcohol, smoke, and gamble. There]s also a scene of potential violence where a gun is drawn during a fight but not fired.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: A scene of potential violence where a gun is drawn during a fight, but not fired.
Sex: No nudity, but there is a scene where Mike interrupts Trent and a woman during sex.
Language: Very strong language.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: The main characters drink a lot of alcohol and smoke.

More on Swingers

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about the different ways the main characters deal with women and one another. What is the cost of Trent's predatory, manipulative behavior? Why does he lose his cool in the diner at the end of the movie? The film looks at both positive and negative aspects of peer pressure -- in the scene where Sue pulls out a gun, his friends make it crystal clear what a major violation of cool he's committed. How does this contrast with their other behavior?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Ripped from a moment in the 90's when hipsters embraced a neo-Ratpack aesthetic, Trent (Vince Vaughn) and Mike (Jon Favreau) are two hip young guys in LA who swig martinis and dance to "swing" bands like Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Mike's girlfriend broke up with him after he left her in New York to try and make it as a comedian in LA. Trent is desperately trying to get Mike back into the dating scene, dishing out dubious advice while dragging him from club to club. What's more, Trent's sleazy style seems to really work for him; the more condescending and manipulative he is, the better he does with women. To Trent's horror, Mike constantly rehashes the tragedy of his break-up to every girl. We follow the pair from a big trip out to Las Vegas and on through bars and clubs, Mike repeatedly trying, and failing, to pick up a girl. Along the way, we meet their other friends, including Rob (Ron Livingston), a struggling actor with a major creative crisis, Charles, too hip for the scene, and Sue, a twitchy guy with some violent tendencies.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

A modern comedy of manners and cool, SWINGERS will entertain and embarrass teenagers and their parents. Teenagers will probably (hopefully!) find the 10-years-ago swing revival aesthetic too square for words, while parents may find themselves reflecting back on their own youthful excesses. But charming, funny performances by the cast, especially Vince Vaughn and Ron Livingston, will make it worth the pain.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Miramax
Director: Doug Liman
Cast: Heather Graham, Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 96 minutes
Theatrical release: July 11, 1996
DVD release: September 24, 2002
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: language

This review was written by Will Fertman
 
 

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Good movie, but only for older teens
There is a lot of talk about sex, but by about 15 most teens are talking about this same stuff everyday at school, so it won't be anything new. There is also a surprisingly positive message at the end of the movie that I won't give away, but it lessens the chance that teens will see one of the more morally ambiguous characters as a good role model. The only major concern is that the movie glorifies drinking & smoking. Overall, a pretty good movie that will be fine for older teenagers.

 

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