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Editorial Review:
Amazon.com:
Swing is the good-natured tale of a Liverpudlian ex-con who decides to make a new life for himself as the leader of a swing band. When we are first introduced to Martin (The Full Monty's Hugo Speer), he is being released from the slammer, where he did time out of loyalty to his wayward brother, Liam. His cellmate, Jack, a sweatsuit-wearing, dreadlocked sax player who looks suspiciously like Clarence Clemons (because he is), inspired Martin to make swing his vocation and serves as his conscience throughout the film. This is a good thing, because nobody else seems to think he can pull it off, including his ex-girlfriend, Joan (Lisa Stansfield), now married to the cop that put him away, and his own parents (nicely played by veteran British actors Rita Tushingham and Tom Bell). Joan has missed singing, however, and eventually decides to join Martin's band, along with a soccer- loving bass player, skinhead drummer, and horn section of Orange Brigades led by The Young Ones' Alexei Sayle.
Speer isn't the most dynamic actor, but he generates the appropriate degree of sympathy and works well with pop vocalist Stansfield, who acquits herself nicely in her feature film debut. She also sings several numbers, including 'Mack the Knife' and 'Baby, I Need Your Loving,' both of which can be found on the motion picture soundtrack. If Swing does not hit the heights of The Blues Brothers or The Commitments, it keeps the beat more often than not. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Will it be released on DVD?
I have always been a Lisa Stansfield fan ever since she burst onto the American charts with "All Around the World". I have this movie on VHS but no VHS player. I was wondering if anyone knows who I could contact about them possibly releasing it on DVD. I have yet to see this movie and by judging by the reviews I'm sure I'll like it. I only bought it because I'm a fan and found a used copy for real cheap. Thank you! :)
Rating: - A thoroughly enjoyable movie!
Lisa Stansfield, besides having a great voice, does a nice job in this film, and Clarence Clemons, of Bruce Springsteen's band, also does a nice job. Romantic, charming, funny film!I highly recommend it!
Rating: - Lisa Stansfield can & does (sing) SWING!!!
This movie is not only great as a musical, but it has superb acting by Lisa Stansfield and an interesting story. No doubt that the music is the best thing about it. The British slang/lingo will keep you on your toes when it come to listening to the dialog.
It's got music, romance, good plot, credible acting, well-paced direction and an all around feelgood, overcoming obstacles vibe.
Considering that studios will release just about anything on DVD, I sure hope they will put ... Read More
Rating: - A Peculiar Pleasure
An astonishingly wise/sweet funny movie to find among the endless variations on emptily cool/cruel/hip now dominantly littering both the commercial & critical marketplaces. Like tripping over a ripe melon while traversing a lunar (or polar) landscape? Vastly sager on mean cop mentality than the arrested punk norm. Reminds us that permitting character growth can succeed, that connecting with our own cultural history may yield more than trying too hard to invent something dazzlingly new, that love ... Read More
Rating: - You'll be rolling up the carpets...
A definite feel-good film, if ever there was. Chances are, you'll be rolling up the living room carpet to jive and jitterbug as the band swings its thing. Hugo Speer is banged up with...er Clarence Clemons...who teaches him the sax. On his release (Clarence remains inside, presumably for playing with Springsteen for so long), Hugo forms a swing band with a National Front drummer and the horn section from the local Orange Lodge (having made a Faustian pact with his uncle). You'd better work our the rest ... Read More
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