Analysis of Swingers

             Set against the backdrop of the mid 1990's Los Angeles club scene, Swingers, gives us an engaging and realistic look into the L.A. singles life, and serves as a parable for all of those out there that have looked for love, failed and have had the courage to get up and try again. The story centers around Mike (Jon Favreau), a struggling comedian and a generally "nice guy", that has not gotten over breaking up with his girlfriend and the trials and tribulations that he takes to try to get back on the dating horse. Along with Mike on his journey to find new love are his friends, a group of struggling actors, that at times act as a Greek chorus to show us his progress and theirs towards meeting these new "beautiful babies".
             The cast is, for the most part, amateurish. Obviously, this is a function of the film's meager budget. Everyone gives a gung-ho effort, but most fail to hit their marks dead on. Favreau himself comes off as little more than an actor playing an actor. Even his walk feels forced at times. Thankfully, it doesn't hinder his likeability, or the rest of the casts. The one standout, of course, is Vince Vaughn as "best friend" Trent. Vince has charisma to spare here, taking his role as the smooth-talking Don Juan to the outer limits. He embodies Trent completely, and through his character gave America several new catch phrases to be used in their everyday vernacular. The line, "Your so money and you don't even know it", that he consistently gives to Mike throughout the film to booster his confidence can be now be found in everything from advertising to sports casting
             Director Doug Liman does a good job with the small independent film budget he is given, and shoots the film in a naturalistic almost documentary type of manner. The film is highly self reflexive and at times he resorts to gimmickry to catch the audience's attention (like the Goodfellas inspired steady cam walk through...

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