Swingers

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: October 18, 1996

DVD Release Date: September 24, 2002

Plot 411: A comedian trying to make it in Hollywood deals with the recent breakup of his six year relationship by hitting the clubs with his boys.

Review: This was an excellent '90s movies. Who knew that 13 years would make this movie almost nostalgic? I had forgotten about the swing music revival, the wallet chains and the Frank Sinatra-cool wannabes. The movie really captures a specific era that didn't last very long but was interesting nonetheless. Mike (Jon Favreau), a comedian from New York, moved to Hollywood to pursue his dream of getting his own sitcom. Unfortunately, his now ex-girlfriend is dating someone else and he's miserable. His L.A. friends Trent (Vince Vaughn) and Sue (Patrick Van Horn) and his buddy from N.Y. Rob (Ron Livingston) all try their best to lift his spirits. Trent takes the alpha dog approach and tries to bolster Mike's self-esteem through "babies" (aka women). Rob takes a more subtle route, doing more listening and hand holding than anything else. The boys are so "money" as they club hop around L.A. It's completely funny how they believe they're shot callers, like Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, yet they can't even manage to land a gig. Vaughn is ridiculously funny in this role. The movie is hip, for its time, and right on with its comments on people's attitudes during this time period - from the wannabe gangsters to the cool dude swingers.

Watch It: For the bear and bunny scene.

Skip It: If you're living a break up right now. Mike is such a downer that he'll make you feel worse.