Swingers

Well, there I was, standing in hand with 6 videos, where you can get 7 for just 7 euro's, so I needed one more... A good reason to give 'Swingers' a try. Normally, I'm not too fond of Dutch movies, with the usual exceptions (De Grot, Zusje). But Swingers wasn't too bad. As someone said earlier, the acting is what it's all about in a movie like this, based upon just a couple of characters. Recently I saw comparable movies (that is, with just a couple of characters doing a lot of talking) where the acting was better (Misery), but then again another where it was a lot worse (the incredibly dull Hurlyburly). Here it's... okay really. I don't understand the criticism De Kok gets, I liked him the best. The story is pretty interesting as well, and the music didn't bother me as much as it did to others apparently. I'd give it a 6 out of 10. Oh and BTW: It's great to see Brenninkmeyer defending his film on the IMDB (although he probably shouldn't quote 'De Telegraaf'), isn't this a great site :)

Swing low - no pun intended. And I have to admit, I never ... how do I put it? Explored the world of swinging. I'm not sure how comfortable I would feel. But don't knock something you haven't tried. One thing is for sure, everyone has to be honest and open about it.

Of course when an experienced swinger pair meets a "virgin" swinger pair ... well you know that there are things to explore there (no pun intended). And the movie may have nudity and some titilating scenes, but it is about emotions and about relationships. About the depths of human nature. About what limits you set for yourself ... really well played and well written. Visually (video wise) this has not aged well - at least the version I saw didn't look too good. That aside and if you don't mind the movie does work ... because the central theme does not age.

Put four people in one room and let tension run high. It has been done before in film history, but when it's done well, it can produce 'Big Cinema'. 'Swingers' is at times 'Big Cinema'. It's Brenninkmeijer's second feature and he turns out to be a great actor's director and writer of sharp dialog.

A film like 'Swingers', with only four characters, stands or falls with the acting. And although it's their first major role in a feature film, all four play out their characters very well. Ellen van der Koogh plays a beautiful but insecure woman; Danny de Kok is like a young puppy who gets let loose in the woods for the first time; Nienke Brinkhuis is the unsatisfiable self and Joep Sertons plays the quite husband who seems to be at ease with his swinging situation.

Especially the first part of Swingers is mouthwatering. It starts with Julian who screams up his confidence while shaving but it really starts to get interesting from the moment Timo and Alex arrive at the house. How to act when you meet your date for the first time knowing you will have some steamy moments with for the weekend?

The first clumsy moves are hysterical. While sitting uncomfortably in the livingroombench, they are overly interested in their daily work and professions and the words 'cosy' are spoken before it really had a chance to set in. Every once and a while Diana escapes to the kitchen to get more drinks an Julian follows to give her a hand. Fortunately they have picked an awesome house to play their game. A house were a swimmingpool and a sauna are commonplace. Alex takes the initiative and soon they are skinnydipping to get things started were they have come for.

The biggest credit you can give 'Swingers´ is the way in which the emotional balance shifts gradually. Those who started out vulnerable evolve more secure while the others use their self-consciousness to shield themselves for the truth. The way the characters throw each other glances, the things they say, the mindgames they play: it's all as subtle as it is venomous. Although the film gets a bit slow at the point of the 'Big Moment' and 'the morning after', it doesn't hide the fact that with 'Swingers', Brenninkmeijer delivered a film of international standing.

The insecure Diana (Ellen van der Koogh) and her husband Julian (Danny de Kok) schedule to spend the weekend with an unknown couple experienced in swing in the house of Diana's parents that are traveling. They welcome the gorgeous Alexandra (Nienke Brinkhuis) and her husband Timo (Joep Sertons); however the sexy and attractive Alex inhibits the repressed Diana even more and excites Julian. Along the night, Timo discloses his real feelings about Alex and on the next morning, the relationship of the couple is tested.

The low-budget "Swingers" is a surprisingly good movie. I was expecting to see an erotic and shallow drama but the story indeed has substance and brings a good discussion about the theme with believable characters. The stylish movie presents a non-aggressive eroticism and witty dialogs. This is the first film that I watch with Nienke Brinkhuis and her beauty and sensuality are impressive. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Swingers"

Exerpts from the German site: "Das Manifest..."

What appears to to look like a cheap soft-sex-film, turns into a real discovery under the cunning hands of newcomer Stephan Brenninkmeijer. Not only does he avoid all the clichés that usually comes with a theme like this, he also succeeds in giving you the feeling that most other films about this topic lack... erotic tingles.

Instead of plunging into a lot of fumbling in the dark, Brenninkmeijer builds an atmosphere, he gives us a chance to care for the characters and he doesn't shy away from cutting these tensions short, just to build them up again. As happens so frequently in real life.

"Swingers" didn't do to well in the Dutch cinema's but turned out to be a front runner in the video and DVD stores.

Hopefully sales in Germany also boosts for this little gem, so Epix can treat us more often with such a pearl.

(for the complete review check out http://www.dasmanifest.net/03/1020.php )