Directed by Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity, Go, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Jumper-unfortunately)

Starring Jon Favereau (also wrote it), Vince Vaughn, Ron Livingston)

Two Alternate IMDB Synopses (both accurate):

“Wannabe actors become regulars in the stylish neo-lounge scene; Trent teaches his friend Mike the unwritten rules of the scene.”

“This is a story about Mike, a guy who left his girl in New York when he came to LA to be a star. It’s been six months since his girlfriend left him and he’s not doing so good. So, his pal and some other friends try and get him back in the social scene and forget about his 6 year relationship.”

I don’t think this was Doug Liman’s first movie, but it was definitely his breakout movie. Favereau (who went on to direct hits like Elf and Iron Man) wrote this script while he was a fledgling actor in LA. The characters are great, and the dialogue instantly quotable. I posted two synopses because I feel like the film exists on both of these levels. The first one is the surface level. When you see advertising for the movie or you hear college kids quoting it, they are talking about this movie. The second synopsis captures the heart of the movie though. This aspect of the story is what makes the film work. The coolest part, also the reason the movie works and has been so successful, is that both levels fit together so well. I am sure that there are hundreds of film students and struggling actors/screenwriters who are currently writing a script about their group of friends because they’re so “funny” and they have so many “observations” about their lifestyle, but my bet is that most of those scripts are missing the “heart.” Or missing they are missing the “surface.” Really, I think Swingers balances both aspects so well, and that is why its a great movie.

Also, the acting. The acting is amazing in this. Favereau wrote the script about himself and his real-life close friends, Vince Vaughn and Ron Livingston, helping him to get over his girlfriend. Some studios were interested in making the movie, but when Liman said that he wanted to fill the cast with then unknowns Favereau, Vaughn and Livingston, they backed out. Instead the movie was financed independently, with many of the scenes shot at locations despite lacking the proper permit to shoot there. Vince Vaughn is so young in this. He steals the movie completely, though Favereau is great as well.

I really enjoyed the movie. It has the energy of a large group of very talented people who are trying to prove themselves, and it really has great results.

8/10  - It’s so money.