Parents' Guide to

Swingers

Movie R 1996 96 minutes
Swingers Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

By Will Fertman , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 16+

Funny modern comedy of manners and cool.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 16+?

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age 16+

Based on 4 parent reviews

Travis D.
Travis D. Parent of 15-year-old
January 12, 2018
age 15+

Loved this movie

The language is laced with obscenities and there are a lot of sexual references, but it's a fun movie. Also you should be prepared to talk about responsible use of alcohol and drugs because the characters are not exactly role models.
BestPicture1996
BestPicture1996 Adult
May 9, 2016
age 17+

90s cult hit is still money

Jon Favreau's writing debut still retains some hedonistic, sexist and homophobic terminology that pervaded the 90s, but it's so charming I almost want to give it a scot-free pass. The film allowed Vince Vaughn to break out to the public, and he's kept his fast-talking, charm your pants off persona ever since...but he doesn't change that much. It's Favreau's Mike who undergoes the arc, and it takes a while to get to like him 'cause he's such a pathetic sad sack sometimes. But the film has a lot of funny moments, and you eventually start to feel sorry for Mike rather than wanting to slap him on the head. You have the handful of moments that are unbelievable as well: not astonishing comedy but unbelievable in you don't buy that certain things are happening. Ultimately, it's a harmless, breezy ride with this ragtag band of swingers, and gives you a little taste of the 90s in all its plaid-wearing, weird lingo glory.
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Ripped from a moment in the 90's when hipsters embraced a neo-Ratpack aesthetic, Trent (Vince Vaughn) and Mike (Jon Favreau) are two hip young guys in LA who swig martinis and dance to "swing" bands like Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Mike's girlfriend broke up with him after he left her in New York to try and make it as a comedian in LA. Trent is desperately trying to get Mike back into the dating scene, dishing out dubious advice while dragging him from club to club. What's more, Trent's sleazy style seems to really work for him; the more condescending and manipulative he is, the better he does with women. To Trent's horror, Mike constantly rehashes the tragedy of his break-up to every girl. We follow the pair from a big trip out to Las Vegas and on through bars and clubs, Mike repeatedly trying, and failing, to pick up a girl. Along the way, we meet their other friends, including Rob (Ron Livingston), a struggling actor with a major creative crisis, Charles, too hip for the scene, and Sue, a twitchy guy with some violent tendencies.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4 ):
Kids say (2 ):

A modern comedy of manners and cool, SWINGERS will entertain and embarrass teenagers and their parents. Teenagers will probably (hopefully!) find the 10-years-ago swing revival aesthetic too square for words, while parents may find themselves reflecting back on their own youthful excesses. But charming, funny performances by the cast, especially Vince Vaughn and Ron Livingston, will make it worth the pain.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the different ways the main characters deal with women and one another. What is the cost of Trent's predatory, manipulative behavior? Why does he lose his cool in the diner at the end of the movie? The film looks at both positive and negative aspects of peer pressure -- in the scene where Sue pulls out a gun, his friends make it crystal clear what a major violation of cool he's committed. How does this contrast with their other behavior?

Movie Details

  • In theaters: July 11, 1996
  • On DVD or streaming: September 24, 2002
  • Cast: Heather Graham , Jon Favreau , Vince Vaughn
  • Director: Doug Liman
  • Inclusion Information: Female actors, Middle Eastern/North African actors
  • Studio: Miramax
  • Genre: Comedy
  • Run time: 96 minutes
  • MPAA rating: R
  • MPAA explanation: language
  • Last updated: September 16, 2024

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