User Reviews

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 :)

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"

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.

I saw the movie twice: once in the cinema and once on DVD. I must say, it's looks better on DVD, because the director uses close ups a lot. In the cinema the movie also seems to drag a bit. At first I thought the movie was shot on 16 millimeter, but in scene one I saw the artifacts common with DV, so I knew what to expect. Contrary to another comment, which said the cinematography sucks, but can't tell why, just that it stinks. I think it was very brave to go the classic way and give room to the story, instead of using that old style of 'innovative cinematography' ofter associated with DV. The person who wrote the comment, fotorobbert I recall, has an approach that is quite wrong: the question is, does the choice the filmmakers made fit the way the story is told, it's not about how yóu think it should be done. His added remark that another Dutch movie called Costa looked better is utterly stupid considering that movie was shot on 35 mm and had at least 100 times more budget. The question is more: why have the producers chosen to shoot on DV when they knew they were going to release the film in the cinema? Well, maybe they didn't at the time. Still, on DVD it really found it's place.

Swingers' problem is more the way the story is told. What is the main question? What is the main conflict? What genre is it? It's start out one way and ends another. Sometimes that works, this time it just feels strange. The cast is stellar at times, but is uncomfortable at others. There seems little room for improvisation or even to let a flow go. This gives the movie a cramped feeling sometimes. And I must say: the story itself doesn't help either. I personally think it's too simple given the characters the actors put out. It at times feels like a paint by numbers exercise. Next time, the writer director should get out there and try to be on his edge of creativity. He has the ability, but he's seems very restricted. Let's see where this man will take us next.

Despite the title and context, there's not really a lot of sex in this (and certainly no hardcore).

It is, however, quite an interesting drama capturing the interplay of the four characters in all the various combinations, with periodic naked episodes.

As such, it examines the state of contemporary marriage from a variety of perspectives and could thus be a "conversation starter" if seen as a couple or in a group.

Personally, I found three of the actors to be pretty convincing with the fourth being a bit static - so for a single-location, small cast film (presumably thus low-budget) it's not bad.

Worth a look.

I don't understand the people here. The film is neither as good as as bad as some people say here. Except for De Kok the acting is OK. The problem with the film is mainly the script. The characters are not believable. The sex is done okay, but the psychology behind the people makes very little sense. The film doesn't look good, but what do you expect? The film was shot for very little money on video. Off course then it doesn't look as good as a normal film, duh! The one thing I do agree on is that the music is bad. Sounds like a cheap soft erotic film from the '80's. The film is not good, okay, but you have to give some credit for pulling this of without any money.

Being Swingers for several years now I watched this film with high expectations and with some skepticism, because seldom is "our" way of life portrayed in a realistic way. Usually it is turned into a cheap thriller where the so called swinger is someone with a problem, killing their dates in a bloody manner. With this film it is clear that the drama comes from the lifestyle. Something true swingers might sigh about. Usually real swingers live a positive life with hardly any problems concerning their way of life. In this case trouble is obligatory. No trouble, no drama.

So the first hour or so is exciting. Very recognizable moments are played very convincing by the actors. When the plot moves into the second half, the film has some slow moments, but never to a degree that it gets boring. All in all it is a very believable film and it sets a very good tone and atmosphere of how it is really like to have a swingers-date.

Technical flaws of this film where other viewers spoke of, I didn't see. It looked all fine to me, the sound, the image and the music were in good balance. I enjoyed it very much and so did my wife.

Compliments!

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.

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 )

I saw this film during the Dutch Filmfestival at Utrecht. Although many people were sceptic for a Dutch film containing nudity, the outcome surprised everyone I spoke to. Acting is more than fine, it's excellent. Dialog is smart and to the point. Visually it's fine. The music is great. Actually, this is one of the most honest films about sex I've ever seen. It's a great discussion-starter. Please don't get mislead by the frustration of the other comments. Go see it with a date!

Simone.

After having had it's release in Belgium, the press is mostly very positive about this film. Regardless of what other comments say, they are unanimous about the acting... it's good! The characters are believable, the dialog is witty and to the point. All this from actors who are either unknown, or known from the more 'light' televisionseries. Notable magazines like HUMO or newspapers like DE STANDAARD recognize the shortcommings on the technical features (it has been shot on video) but they give the story, actors and makers all the credit for delivering a suprisingly good Dutch film. Swingers is a "contemporary, wellmade and subtle piece of cinema" and they are "pleasantly surprised"

Judge for yourself.

Great mix of drama and erotica. First part of the film is provocative and sultry. It appeals to everyone's fantasy and is played out very realistic. After a while however more serious questions are asked and it is here where the lack of moral guidance was well appreciated. The makers give you room for your own conclusions, which is a far more intelligent than just telling us how to feel. Unjustly compared with the Dutch, cheap sex laden films from the 70's. People who think Swinging is something from the past don't know what's going on. Even puritan Oprah did a show on this group of people. "They may be your neighbors. They could live in your street!"

Good entertainment.

Okay, the first time I heard about this film (Swingers, people who swap partners at clubs and private meetings) I thought: Those swingers... aren't that just bored middle-class couples who don't appeal to me at all? And we don't need yet another Dutch film with a lot of nudity. Right? Wrong! First of all, Dutch audiences generally dislike nudity in Dutch films because it's usually irrelevant to the story-line. Sex just to shock or draw people to the box-office. But Swingers is far more intelligent than to do just that. It shows explicit sex, yes, but only at the point were there can't be anything else BUT explicit sex. This film is much more a well-told story of what sexual fantasies can do within a relationship. When Diana (Ellen van der Koogh), a woman in her late thirties, and her husband Julian (Danny de Kok) decides to experiment sexually with another couple, she is adorably insecure. She projects all the questions we would have, questions of fidelity, jealousy etc. But let's face it: also a healthy dose of fantasy and lust. They put out an ad on the Internet and plan a weekend at her parents' house who are away on Holidays. (The house is awesome. It should have had a credit of it's own) When their date arrive (Alexandra, played by Nienke Brinkhuis and Timo, played by Joep Sertons) you know already that this film is much more than just an erotic-tainted film. They are the opposite of Diana and Julian. As die-hard swingers they are there to show them how the game is played. At the press-viewing I attended were a lot of female journalists and they were very positive about this film. The acting is very good, the nudity is tasteful and the plot is simple yet smart. It takes this film stunningly little time to care for each of the characters. You even understand the thrills and excitement about the theme, without advertising it. But it also shows the pitfalls and dangers of it all, without condemning the swingers-scene. It doesn't claim to be a moral judge to approve or not. This film runs 93 minutes and at the end you feel you have witnessed the rise and fall of two relationships you care for. Go see this film.

This must be the best movie that was ever released in the Dutch language. The sound supports the images perfectly and the way how the nudity is filmed is very stylish, never seen someone do it like this. The way the characters are presented is unique, you discover slowly how they feel about certain things. The only thing that "disturbed" me (but very little and shortly) is that in some (short) scene's the light wasn't really perfect but hey... the budget was rather low so... I don't understand why some people commented this movie the way they did. Probably they are a bit to narrow-minded to handle the subject. Or they just can't stand: non-Hollywood movies, non "artistic" movies. This movie really is a masterpiece and is "a must see" movie!

To shed a light on previous comments.

The film is (after 7 weeks) still shown in Belgium.

The largest newspaper in Holland gave it 4 stars out of 5.

The film was picked up by the biggest network in Holland (RTL4).

This film devides the critics.

The most popular talkshow in Holland (Barend en van Dorp) promoted the film, stating that the film was grossly mis-marketed and it should have been distributed in much larger numbers.

It is clear that this film is controversial, looking at the mixed reactions. For me, that would be a trigger to see this film.

Stephan.