--- title: "Swingers: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/swingers/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/swingers" critics_score: 74 critics_reviews: 6 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Swingers (1996): what the critics said Critics' score 74 from 6 reviews: 5 positive, 0 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics respond warmly to Swingers, with praise clustering around Jon Favreau’s witty, self-deprecating screenplay and the performances of Favreau and Vince Vaughn. The reviews repeatedly find its male friendships believable, recognising the insecurity beneath the characters’ attempts to appear cool. Several also value the film’s affection for its struggling Los Angeles actors, while its soundtrack, use of locations and Doug Liman’s assured direction receive further approval. The main disagreement concerns how much charm those men possess, rather than how convincingly their behaviour is observed. Time Out finds the film smug and smarmy but still recommends it for Vaughn’s performance and Favreau’s quotable dialogue. HeyUGuys offers a much harsher reappraisal, finding the central character selfish and his friends obnoxious, with little charm to compensate. The spread is therefore wide, though the prevailing view sees recognisable awkwardness and appealing camaraderie where the strongest dissent sees merely unpleasant company. ## Total Film Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 11 July 1997. The critic calls it a slick and fast-moving comedy that succeeds despite its tiny budget. The playful script, top performances, and cool soundtrack are highlighted as turning it into a surefire cult hit. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/swingers-review/) ## Empire — Neil Jeffries Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2007. The critic praises the film's charm and hilarious script despite its low budget and rough edges. The witty dialogue and performances by Favreau and Vaughn are singled out as making it an unmissable comedy of male bonding. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/swingers-review/) ## Radio Times Rating 4/5. This is praised as an honest and highly original exploration of male friendship and neuroses. Superb performances by Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau, along with affectionate direction, are highlighted. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-z9wxb8/swingers/) ## Time Out — TCh Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 10 September 2012. The critic finds the film smug and smarmy yet recommends seeing it anyway. Vince Vaughn's performance as the irrepressible Trent and the quotable script by Jon Favreau are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/swingers) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan 18 October 1996. The critic calls it a pleasant shock, a guy film that makes male bonding believable and appealing with rueful humor, unpretentiousness, and confident hipness. It singles out the clever script, fondness for its characters, and effective use of Los Angeles locations and atmosphere. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-10-18-ca-54947-story.html) ## The AV Club — Stephen Thompson 29 March 2002. The critic praises the film's bright, funny, and realistic script, which focuses on the everyday lives and friendships of struggling LA actors rather than its swing-dance setting. Special note is made of Jon Favreau's intelligent screenplay and endearing performance alongside Vince Vaughn's charismatic turn. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/swingers-1798195874) ## The New York Times 18 October 1996. The critic finds the film irresistible, praising its inverted sense of high style that turns the characters' awkwardness into counter-cool and its appealing camaraderie among the cast. The self-deprecating screenplay centers on a newcomer's struggles to fit in after moving to Los Angeles. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/18/movies/looking-for-a-life-but-finding-la.html) ## Variety 9 September 1996. Festival review. The critic describes it as a sweet and funny guy movie and confident snapshot of young showbiz wannabes' nightlives in Hollywood, engaging and refreshingly human in its humor. It singles out the promising new talent and the sure touch of first-time director (and cinematographer) Doug Liman, with homages to Scorsese and Tarantino. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1996/film/reviews/swingers-1200446913/) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 6 June 2005. The critic finds the film funny because it is true to life. He singles out its authentic take on male friendship among struggling actors in LA and the realistic, slanged dialogue. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/swingers-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) ## HeyUGuys — Barry Steele Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 9 October 2009. The critic reappraises the film negatively on rewatch, calling the central character whiny and selfish and his friends loud, obnoxious and unlikeable. He singles out the unlikeable male dynamics and lack of genuine charm. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/review-did-you-ever-see-swingers/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/swingers.md