Classic Movie Review and a look at an upcoming release, all rolled into one…
Monday, September 14th, 2009 by Jevan
Swingers (1996)
Written by Jon Favreau
Every now and again I take a look through my DVD collection and pick out a film that reminds me exactly why I fell in love with the movies, and why I chose to pursue a career as a screenwriter. This time it was the 1996 classic Swingers, the film that launched the careers of Doug Liman, Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn, Ron Livingston, and more.
This is without a doubt one of my favorite comedies of all time. Favreau stars as Mike Peters, a struggling bit actor and stand up comedian chasing his dream in Hollywood while trying to move past the life he left behind in New York. His group of friends, including Vince Vaughn in a career-making performance as Trent, take him on a string of adventures from parties in the Hollywood hills to the casinos of Las Vegas all in an attempt to help him get over his ex-girlfriend and back into the dating scene.
The lingo is ‘niche’, the clothes are a throwback to a throwback, and the music is a pastiche of swing, guitar rock, and lounge, but the characters are so rich and the story so felt that you can’t help but be drawn into their world.
I really truly love this movie. And I was reminded of it when I saw a trailer for a new Comedy written by and starring Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn called Couples Retreat. They might be my favorite comedic pairing out there. From Swingers, to Made, and even The Breakup, these two have a great chemistry and a hilarious dynamic.
But Couples Retreat is getting some pretty harsh reviews, at least on its message board at IMDB, and is being compared heavily to Forgetting Sarah Marshall. I hadn’t heard anything about this pic until this past weekend, but the cast they put together is fantastic, and the premise is good. Favreau and Vaughn have always written funny, dynamic Comedies, and I’m optimistic that their latest collaboration won’t disappoint.
Couples Retreat hits theatres October 9th.