Gratuitous Llama Netflix Movie Review

Swingers (1996)

Okay, so I'm probably the very last guy under the age of 50 who hadn't seen this flick before. But if there is anybody else out there who doesn't yet know, this is a slight, shallow, yet fun buddy picture about a guy in his 20's out in L.A. trying to get over his heartbreak with a little help from his friends by hitting the lounge scene.

Just to show you how out of it I've been, do you know that I had always assumed that was a picture of Tim Roth on the poster/cover? Imagine my surprise to discover it was Vince Vaughn instead. And my trepidation - I don't like Vince Vaughn, especially in his current chunky-cheesy-with-extra-sideburns incarnation. However, my concerns were quickly laid to rest. As I understand it, this was his big breakout pic back in the day, and in his lean, fresh, wiseguy way he reminded me of a young Frankie (Sinatra, that is).

I really don't have much to say about the plot or the other characters, except that as to Jon Favreau, who plays the said heartsick guy, there were a couple times when I thought he was sailing straight into the Woody Allen/George Costanza shallows. Each time, fortunately, he managed to tack just in time to avoid hitting the reef of overly whiney, self-indulgent angst.

Overall, though, it strikes me that the main thing to enjoy about this film is its feel. It's fun, it's hip, it's loose and it's surprisingly sweet. And truth be told, the soundtrack had me hooked from the opening credits - I do like me some Dino.

Robbo's Recommendation: Four Yips! out of five.