Palm Swings

I'm mid 60's baby boomer and we're responsible for free love and almost all the psycho-social-sexual excesses that our culture hasn't got rid of yet. We were spoiled and given everything we wanted and anything more, we just took. The "Lifestyle" of swinging is just a continuation of the old, lived out by those of us afraid of getting old. Getting old means settling down and some will never take the chance of settling down because to do so means to curb appetites and live within the structures of maturity. Some of us will never be able to be so brave. I've wet my big toe in the lifestyle and have concluded that the things we're looking for and wonder the most about are the things we still wonder about after the experience. Swinging is just about playing in a bigger sandbox. Yes sex and love can be two separate things but without each other they fail to calm the restlessness within. So, what about the movie? I loved it! The women were cute, adorable, and totally sexy. The men wore their bravado just like in real life. The dialog, scenes, sets, were perfect. T and A were wonderful. The husband was bound by all his fears and tried to project his inadequacy on his wife. He was the child. This scenario happens all the time in real life.If movies are primarily about entertainment, cut out the crap about real and heavy meaning. Ride the movie like a roller coaster... And just get your kicks.

Director Sean Hoessli (primarily known for his work in Visual Effects) does a decent job bringing first time writer Amanda Lockhart's film about "swinging" couples in Palm Springs to life. While the story of "should we, shouldn't we and what happens if we do" makes sense, dialogue and delivery is weak, many scenes are overly staged, sound and lighting is unequal, the film appears more concerned with PS wardrobe and atmosphere, and female breasts and full-frontal nudity are used to make the film appealing. Tia Carrere (Wayne's World) gives a limited and basic cameo as Ms. Cherry Bomb - the Swing Party Hostess. Jason Lewis (Model, "Sex and the City") is rock star Lance, and is unfortunately miss-cast. Of the numerous actors who are featured here (all performing to varying believable degree), Jackson Davis (as newlywed Mark Hughes) gives the most honest of performances. Another highlight of the production is the films sexy and rhythmic music by Alf Alpha. The film is being released on Itunes and other digital formats, with little chance of making it to mainstream theaters.

I'd rather smear excrement in my eyes than watch this film again. Enough said. Utter rubbish.

I must agree with some of Ccoral419's technical critiques of the film. Lighting was certainly an issue for me. There was also a lack of depth in the story that I was hoping to see. There were several instances where Lockhart was trying to convey a point, but unfortunately it opened more unexplored story threads that were left dangling for us to wonder about. These created motivations that became sometimes unclear and because parts of the story were not explored the reactions came across more as plot devices rather than honest emotions. Often plot points were rushed to get to the next event in the story rather than finding a particular focus to the drama. Sugar Lyn's performances were subtle, nuanced and fearless for the subject matter and I enjoyed the wise sage character of Clair played by Diane Farr. Jackson Davis' performance was also well done, however he didn't really have depth of character to fully explore, I'm sure he would have relished. I liked that it came across as an anti-Halmark movie. One devoid of the purtianical morality tales shoehorned into them, that is often seen in those productions. As someone who has some exposure to swinging, it was clear to me that Lockhart either has experience in this area or has done extensive research. She conveyed the principal issues most couples must deal with in such a lifestyle, "honesty" and "trust". Break either of those and there is often friction or outright trouble in a relationship. The reason why "swingers" stay together is because they share a brutal honesty with each other that often is missing in traditional relationships. This is to be honest, a titillation film. Provocative by design, but also honest about what the lifestyle is about and what it takes for a couple to participate in it. That said, I liked it for what it was in terms of story, but the technical aspects were certainly distractin.

The sweet and stunning Sugar played her part very well and was convincing in her lead role. Seductive, alluring and out of this world sexy! Her characters husband also worked convincingly. The rest of the cast were a little lacklustre and slapstick which threatened to spoil the realism of the movie. I do strongly disagree with this being a comedy as well, stay clear of that when making this type of movie because that wouldn't work. The audience, myself included, want serious and realistic not cheesy, poorly executed and slapstick.

Admittedly Sugar has so much sex appeal and carried this movie with her steamy (somewhat audience friendlier) scenes getting me hot. She got my girlfriend in the mood as well I think because she's been trying to hide her bisexual thoughts. I think sugar would get anyone in the mood when she's been done from behind. She played one half of a happy, newly married professional couple, who instantly and not so subtly find out they have neighbours who are swingers. (Something I've wanted to try but cmon this is England it's hardly worth bothering with unless you want sixteen stone middle aged women edging close to you) and I chose this movie because the trailer looked good and the plot was simple and didn't need to be complicated.

There's an intense vulnerability about sugar and her husbands early experiences, and lured into temptation they try what millions of couples do these days (trust me they don't admit it) The issue being, she takes it too far and her husband doesn't like it. I just knew this would work. I thought this was fantastic and I so wish they'd do a sequel or make more like it.

What's not to like? You've got the beautiful Palm Springs scenery, yes you've plenty of explosive steamy scenes which somehow disappointed the audience, you've got lip-biting excitement of giving in to the thrill, you've got an upsetting crossroad between a couple who appeared so in love and strong, you've got plenty to feast your eyes on with the sugar candy, (albeit could have done with more of that and less tropical shirt wearing middle aged people) and you've got some real talented actors. A very well put together and fun movie.