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Rating:  - One of the great guy movies
Yeah, the guys in this movie act pretty shallow. They're pretty much interested in going to random parties and picking up girls while all of their careers are in the fritz. While not exactly a primer on how to live one's life, the comradery between the characters is something to really shows depth.
The opening song "You're nobody until somebody loves you", sets the theme. The story revolves around Mikey, who left for Los Angeles leaving his girlfriend of five years behind. His friends are trying to get him out of his funk, and teach him how to live again, without her. This leads to an attempt at seduction that leads to him crying about his ex, an hilarious pep talk at a bar "you're a f&*^ing bear man!", and a disturbing string of phone calls that will leave anyone cringing.
There's definately a been there, done that feeling to the movie. At some point or another most of us felt like Mikey, trying to reclaim who they are after someone leaves out lives. It deals with being confident for being who you are, and taking the pain and becoming better. It's essentially summed up with the following dialogue.
Rob: Sometimes it still hurts. You know how it is, man. It's like, you wake up every day and it hurts a little bit less, and then you wake up one day and it doesn't hurt at all. And the funny thing is, is that, this is kinda wierd, but it's like, it's like you almost miss that pain.
Mike: You miss the pain?
Rob: Yeah, for the same reason that you missed her... because you lived with it for so long.
The ending is typical, but it works, and some of the scenes miss, but the rapid fire rate of production makes certain it doesn't get tiresome. Recommended.
Rating:  - You're So Money and You Don't Even Know It
Swinger completely sums up dudes in their twenties. Where most movies that try this end up being drug and sex romps with wild parties and unrealistic plot lines, Swingers hits every subtle nuance of the time. It is hard for any guy to watch the golf scene and think, "yeah, that's exactly how I add up my strokes." And the movie was the first film I remember that show guys sitting around playing video games that end up in blood both on and off the television.
The film is at its best when the guys are sitting around arguing about the most absurd things like how long you should wait to call a girl after getting her number (Industry Standard became an integral part of my vocabulary after the film). And they even nail the heartbreak of the end a long relationship and the buddies helping him get back on the horse again. Even the new dictions and the addiction to swing they invent for the film eventually doesn't stand out while watching. Speaking of swing, I think this may be the last time a movie effectively shift pop music after its release, albeit for a short time.
Swinger also launched the careers of Jon Favreau, who also wrote the film, and Ron Livingston (Office Space). But the film really belonged to Vince Vaughn who, after trying to transition into a serious actor with range (seriously, the Psycho remake?) has finally embraced Trent and now only plays slight variations of him. C'mon, like you weren't watching Wedding Crashers and thinking that was Trent a decade later. But the most astounding break out star of the film was Heather Graham who actual landed quality roles for a year after Swingers before people realized she couldn't act.
Rating: - Take a Tour of LA's Nightlife and Learn about Love
This movie has amazing staying power, due to its universal themes of love and friendship. I always discover something new and meaningful about the characters' lives, while still laughing at all the classic moments. The honesty which it discusses relationships certainly influenced such films as High Fidelity or Time and Tide, But Swingers will always hold a special place in my heart for featuring Marty & Elayne from The Dresden Room. Staying Alive indeed!
Rating: - Swingers
Excellent movie! Soundtrack is awesome!! Vince Vaughn is terrific as the guy trying to give his buddy a boost out of the break-up blues. The catch phrases, the way this group of guys live their lives, all shows how superficial yet well-meaning being young can be. Vegas baby!
Rating: - Money
This movie is so money you dont even know it...
Great movie, it really shows how gifted Vince Vaughn is as a comedic actor, and even at a young age..
"We'll be up five hunny by midnight.."
CT
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