Swingers

I wasn't too sure what to expect from this. I'd seen one or two reviews, but only one or two - it's not really a major film. However, those reviews I had seen were very good, and the subject appealed to me - blokes on the pull, basically.

The film centres around Mike, who's been moping around for 6 months after being dumped by his girlfriend Michelle after they'd been together for six years. He checks his messages every day, but she never calls him. Eventually one of his friends, Trent, decides that enough is enough, and they head to Las Vegas for some fun. It doesn't really work out - they get together with two girls, but while Trent dives into the bedroom with one girl, Mike is left pouring out his heart to the other. He eventually has to check his messages, but she hasn't called. Again. Mike and Trent return to LA, visit a few parties, go out a few times, with Mike always trying to find someone. Does he? Aaaah - you'll have to watch the film.

This film is extremely funny at times - it's rare that a cinema crowd will laugh quite so much, in my experience anyway. Subtle use of the Jaws theme while trapped in a boring conversation, and Mike's friends convincing him that women are little rabbits, while he has huge claws and teeth, are among the high spots. There's not much of a plot, but this isn't the sort of film that needs one - there are no special effects, no stunt doubles (I think), no explosions, nothing. The entertainment value comes purely from the characters themselves, and the conversations they have.

My friends and I also enjoyed it because we could all relate to it on some level. The girls enjoyed it because they saw a bloke's point of view (although it's not necessarily typical), some blokes enjoyed it because they could sympathise with Mike, some enjoyed it because they saw themselves as a Trent character, and so on. Which was I? You'll have to guess.

If you're looking for something you can just sit back and watch, then this isn't necessarily for you - you can't just wait for the next explosion. However, if you like films about people, especially very funny films about people, then go and see this without fail.

Updated 29/5/98 by JWES