Swingers (1996) DVD Reviews

Starring	Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn, Ron Livingston, Patrick Van Horn
Director	Doug Liman
Genres	Comedy

Critics' reviews (2) of Swingers
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This is an honest exploration of male friendship based on lead actor Jon Favreau's autobiographical script about his first years in Hollywood. He, and three other out-of-work buddies, bar hop around LA's hip watering holes, bitch nonstop, continually try to pick up women and wait endlessly by the phone for that all important call. A highly original and entertaining delight using hilariously side-splitting situations to illuminate male neuroses in an uncompromising way. Complete with discussions on the various merits of Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino, with affectionate direction by Doug Liman to match those two masters, this independent labour of love carries the solid ring of truth and superb performances by Vince Vaughn and Favreau himself.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
Slick and very knowing movie about a bunch of losers; it is sometimes amusing, but its superficiality soon becomes wearing.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
Most helpful members' reviews (3) of Swingers
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24 out of 32 people found this review helpful

v poor

I got recommended this film by a work colleague who I will never listen to again and shouldn't have done in the first place as he has always been really annoying and he told me it was a classic where as I found it dull and pointless.
- - rebecca from London
  - Posted 05 Jul 2005 12:53
12 out of 15 people found this review helpful

Sharp and funny definately money

This has to be one of my favourite films. The story itself is not really that complex but the way that the film examines the relationships between a group of male friends is exceptional. The group could be compared to the group of friends that any man may have there is the player who gets all the girls, the guy who has just come out of a long term relationship and has no confidence and no idea of how to work the dating scene and the slightly mad guy who can get you all in to trouble now and again. Plus a few fringe friends who add to the action in there own way. Throw in a great script with razor sharp dialect and some seriously great comedy sketches and you have what is in my book a great film. Trust me it is hard to say how good this film is in a small review but if you like things like the Big Lebowski then you will almost certainly love this movie.
- - Sweeney from West Midlands
  - Posted 14 Oct 2003 15:16
11 out of 12 people found this review helpful

Money Baby! etc

this film is great! although it's definitely a 'bloke' film, i know lots of female friends who love it, as it gives them a chance to chuckle at how pathetic we are; not only that but the central theme of getting over a nasty break-up is pretty much universal. the central pairing of Vince Vaughn and, um, that other fella, is really what sells this film. Vaughn is priceless as he bullies and chats his way through the film, dispensing tips on how to impress 'chicky-babes' and appear 'money' to his long-suffering buddy. Everyone will relate to at least one of the characters, and the situations they find themselves in are all really true to life. At the heart of all of it, though, is a really sweet film; it has a final reel which rings true without trying to do anything too clever, and unexpectedly believeable character progression which is really touching. Oh, and it's about the most quotable film of all time. You can't really go wrong with it!
- - Keir from Surrey
  - Posted 14 Sep 2003 13:13
Most recent members' reviews (2) of Swingers
View all
11 out of 12 people found this review helpful

Money Baby! etc

this film is great! although it's definitely a 'bloke' film, i know lots of female friends who love it, as it gives them a chance to chuckle at how pathetic we are; not only that but the central theme of getting over a nasty break-up is pretty much universal. the central pairing of Vince Vaughn and, um, that other fella, is really what sells this film. Vaughn is priceless as he bullies and chats his way through the film, dispensing tips on how to impress 'chicky-babes' and appear 'money' to his long-suffering buddy. Everyone will relate to at least one of the characters, and the situations they find themselves in are all really true to life. At the heart of all of it, though, is a really sweet film; it has a final reel which rings true without trying to do anything too clever, and unexpectedly believeable character progression which is really touching. Oh, and it's about the most quotable film of all time. You can't really go wrong with it!
- - Keir from Surrey
  - Posted 14 Sep 2003 13:13
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Good solid comedy

While I've avoided watching this movie for a long time, because of the hype within my circle of friends, it had always been a curiousity.

It wasn't incredibly funny the movie overall was amusing and I think with repeated watching would gather residence in most peoples heads. The direction was basic but did have some excellent flair especially within the Reservoir dogs reference and the answerphone scene.

The acting was great with stoic performances from all the cast. You definately get a feeling that this group goes back a long way. Vince Vaughan does stand out much like Randall did in Kevin Smith's Clerks, mainly because he is a big character where as the rest of the group seems very standard.

Worth a rent but not a place in the collection.
- - Brendan Lee from Nottingham UK
  - Posted 12 Sep 2004 21:04

24 out of 32 people found this review helpful

v poor

I got recommended this film by a work colleague who I will never listen to again and shouldn't have done in the first place as he has always been really annoying and he told me it was a classic where as I found it dull and pointless.
- - rebecca from London
  - Posted 05 Jul 2005 12:53
12 out of 15 people found this review helpful

Sharp and funny definately money

This has to be one of my favourite films. The story itself is not really that complex but the way that the film examines the relationships between a group of male friends is exceptional. The group could be compared to the group of friends that any man may have there is the player who gets all the girls, the guy who has just come out of a long term relationship and has no confidence and no idea of how to work the dating scene and the slightly mad guy who can get you all in to trouble now and again. Plus a few fringe friends who add to the action in there own way. Throw in a great script with razor sharp dialect and some seriously great comedy sketches and you have what is in my book a great film. Trust me it is hard to say how good this film is in a small review but if you like things like the Big Lebowski then you will almost certainly love this movie.
- - Sweeney from West Midlands
  - Posted 14 Oct 2003 15:16
11 out of 12 people found this review helpful

Money Baby! etc

this film is great! although it's definitely a 'bloke' film, i know lots of female friends who love it, as it gives them a chance to chuckle at how pathetic we are; not only that but the central theme of getting over a nasty break-up is pretty much universal. the central pairing of Vince Vaughn and, um, that other fella, is really what sells this film. Vaughn is priceless as he bullies and chats his way through the film, dispensing tips on how to impress 'chicky-babes' and appear 'money' to his long-suffering buddy. Everyone will relate to at least one of the characters, and the situations they find themselves in are all really true to life. At the heart of all of it, though, is a really sweet film; it has a final reel which rings true without trying to do anything too clever, and unexpectedly believeable character progression which is really touching. Oh, and it's about the most quotable film of all time. You can't really go wrong with it!
- - Keir from Surrey
  - Posted 14 Sep 2003 13:13
8 out of 12 people found this review helpful

This film is the money!

This is a true cult classic, and the film that introduced us to Vince Vaughan who i think is the man and steals this film, and director Doug Liman, who went on to direct 'The Bourne Identity', 'Go', and the recent 'Mr & Mrs Smith'. Many classic scenes and damn funny, rent it.
- - Lee Cooper from Harrogate, England
  - Posted 14 Jun 2005 17:39
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

Subtle

A great film, as long as your sense of humour is more Ricky Gervais than Jim Carrey. Ace ventura fans are going to be so bored, whereas the rest of us can enjoy the brilliantly written characters, and dialogue that passes between them.

Finally girls, this isn't meant to be just a lad's film. It spends a lot of the time fondly ridiculing the macho bull that passes for conversation in male circles - a fact that seemed to bypass a lot of FHM readers. Enjoy!
- - walter riley from Liverpool, England
  - Posted 21 Dec 2005 unknown
5 out of 7 people found this review helpful

OMG what a waste of time

Pointless - dull - load of rubbish
- - A customer from W Yks
  - Posted 13 Mar 2007 19:46
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

So money

Doug Liman (The OC & Go) directs the Jon Favreau script in a brilliant 'bloke movie'. Favreau who also stars as Mike Peters, a struggling comic going through a hard break up is the straight to Vince Vaughn's fast talking Trent Walker.

With a close group of overly cool friends, some Sega, a night in Vegas and a healthy dose of Swing music, Trent gets Mike back onto the scene.

You will grow to hate Trent, and with some brilliant comic scenes, Favreau's script will also strike a cord with any guy who's coming out of a long term relationship.

Funny, cool and a genuine classic. If you enjoy Swingers, why not try; Made (the unofficial sequel), Zoolander, Old School, Punch Drunk Love or Lost in Translation.
- - Alex Williams from Watford
  - Posted 24 Apr 2005 17:56
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

best buddy movie of the last ten years

I first witnessed the double act of favreau and vaughn swagger on to screen with a coolness that hasn't been seen in years. This was the beginning and first mayor role for Vince Vaughn, who as emerged as a sharp talking comedy legend. Swingers is a sharp script and one of the funniest and likeable comedy buddy movies of my generation with cool characters, sharp dialogue and catchphrases to steal for your own pleasure.
- - Andrew Doig from Inverness, Scotland
  - Posted 29 Jul 2005 18:05
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful

Not good...

I don't understand why all the other reviewers found this so funny!

I have always liked both Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau but this film did nothing for me at all. I found it way too slow to get going and even my husband was amazed at how time dragged whilst watching this. I did not find it even mildly amusing and Vince Vaughn's performance was wooden and unconvincing.

Sorry!!
- - A customer from Wirral
  - Posted 04 Nov 2004 10:34
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful

Disappointing

I was told that this was a good comedy, how wrong was my (so called friend). Watched the first hour and there was absolutely nothing that I found funny so I was disappointed.
- - biggie from essex
  - Posted 21 Mar 2005 10:42

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Critics' reviews (2)
This is an honest exploration of male friendship based on lead actor Jon Favreau's autobiographical script about his first years in Hollywood. He, and three other out-of-work buddies, bar hop around LA's hip watering holes, bitch nonstop, continually try to pick up women and wait endlessly by the phone for that all important call. A highly original and entertaining delight using hilariously side-splitting situations to illuminate male neuroses in an uncompromising way. Complete with discussions on the various merits of Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino, with affectionate direction by Doug Liman to match those two masters, this independent labour of love carries the solid ring of truth and superb performances by Vince Vaughn and Favreau himself.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
Slick and very knowing movie about a bunch of losers; it is sometimes amusing, but its superficiality soon becomes wearing.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006