Swingers
on DVD
Swingers is the kind of movie we love because it reminds us of ourselves.
Mike (Jon Favreau) and Trent (Vince Vaughn) have moved to Hollywood to
pursue careers in the entertainment industry. When they’re not looking
for work, they’re cruising the clubs with their buddies, looking
for love.
Mike has just gotten out of a relationship (six months ago), but he’s
still pining for the one that got away. His friends keep telling him to
move on, and even try and hook him up with a few honeys, but to no avail.
He’s “so money and doesn’t even know it,” but
his lack of self-esteem is causing him to mess things up, even when he
meets a potential mate.
Swingers basically brings back memories of what we did after high school.
We hit the bars with our friends, drank, and played video games (and some
of us are still doing that).
Like a Tarantino or Kevin Smith movie, the treat of Swingers is the dialogue.
The characters humorously talk about everyday situations we’ve experienced
ourselves, and Swingers has just as many catchphrases as a group of friends
creates themselves.
The first time I saw the movie, I didn’t thoroughly enjoy it. On
second viewing, I actually found it quite good. It’s probably because
I’m older and more mature (editor's note: in his
opinion!), and can appreciate the jokes and scenarios all that much
more.
Doug Liman (who we’d best know from his recent theatrical hit,
The Bourne Identity), does an excellent job of directing the film, throwing
in some very nice “arty” shots for emphasis. Favreau gets
top billing (since it’s really his movie), but Vaughn, as the lovable
Trent, steals every single scene he's in .
If you enjoyed the more recent Favreau/Vaughn collaboration Made,
you’ll love Swingers.
It’s so money.
Swingers is one of those movies that found most of its success on home
video. Obviously seeing the potential, Miramax/Alliance Atlantis has given
it a very nice special edition DVD. It has a new anamorphic transfer,
a nicely done (if unnecessary) 5.1 audio track, and some great supplements.
The picture is not great, however. It’s very soft and pretty grainy,
but it was originally a very low budget indie film, so I’m sure
the DVD producers did all they could with the remastering. It doesn’t
really take away from the movie itself, so we’re willing to forgive
it this time.
The audio, despite being 5.1 Dolby Digital, probably wouldn’t have
been any worse were it simply stereo. There isn't much here other than
music and dialogue, and it’s restricted to the front speakers entirely.
Again, we’re willing to forgive since we don’t need anything
more to enjoy the movie.
There is a nice selection of extras on this “Collector’s
Series,” starting off with two audio commentaries. The first is
by director Doug Liman and editor Stephen Mirrione, though it isn't as
enjoyable as commentaries should be. The second, however, is by Favreau
and Vaughn (and is presented in “Illustrated Action Commentary”
mode), and is much more entertaining. Vaughn is great, and it seems his
character in the movie is not all that different from his real life. There
is also some “cutting room floor” footage, which is just alternate
takes that were scrapped, some outtakes, the “Swingblade”
short film, and a very well-done documentary called “Making it in
Hollywood.” The doc examines the process of making the movie, as
well as what life is like after Swingers.
Swingers, from Alliance Atlantis Home Entertainment
96 minutes, anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) 16X9 enhanced, 5.1 Dolby Digital
Starring Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn, Ron Livingston, Patrick Van Horn,
Alex Desert and Heather Graham
Produced by Victor Simpkins
Written and Co-Produced by Jon Favreau, Directed and Photographed by Doug
Liman
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