Swing Reviews

There is a joyous, fairy tale mirthfulness to this old fashioned "let's start a band and put on a show" movie that bears the disbelief-bending hallmarks of magical realism commonly found in Latin American folk tales (see Woman on Top for an example). But that lighthearted tone is darkened, nearly irrevocably, in the last third of Swing by forces working against the charming hero, played with a beguiling smile by Hugo Speer. An amount of tension is necessary in a film to make the good luck that comes the protagonist's way seemed deserved, but in Swing the happy ending is sadly muted, needlessly at that. Had director Nick Mead stuck to the formula proven by the successes of The Commitments, The Full Monty, or even Fame for that matter, a feel-good, date-ready romantic comedy like Swing would have played in U.S. theaters to terrific reviews and steady crowds, instead of going straight to video. As it is, Swing is a terrific film, full of life and joy and excellent music, but with an uncharacteristically somber finale. Former pop star Lisa Stansfield makes an indelible impression as an amateur vocalist with professional capabilities, and the entire cast ably responds to the farce-like narrative twists with realistic aplomb. Those who can accept Speer's ill fate as the result of cursed karma will find Swing to be one of those films they find themselves recommending to friends.