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American Swing

Play trailer Poster for American Swing 2009 1h 21m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
55% Tomatometer 22 Reviews 49% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
In the 1970s New York, clothing-optional nightclub Plato's Retreat becomes a haven for swingers and individuals who cared to indulge in public sexual excess.
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American Swing

American Swing

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Critics Consensus

While American Swing covers a fascinating subject, its amateur documentary treatment does it no favors.

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Critics Reviews

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Robert Abele Los Angeles Times 04/03/2009
3/5
The film treats Levenson's rapid descent as if someone had turned on the lights at a sex party: scurrying away with pity and irritation that the good times had to end. Go to Full Review Lou Lumenick New York Post 03/27/2009
3/4
American Swing doesn't have a particularly well-defined point of view, but it is a succinct, entertaining and valuable record of a time that in some ways now seems as remote as the Roaring '20s. Go to Full Review Stephen Holden New York Times 03/27/2009
2.5/5
Although American Swing pointedly goes out of its way to include positive testimonials from several women who patronized the club, it leaves you feeling queasy. Go to Full Review Mattie Lucas From the Front Row 07/07/2019
2.5/4
There are lots of interesting tidbits here, but I can't help but feel that the real meat of the story has yet to be explored. Go to Full Review Cynthia Fuchs PopMatters 04/07/2009
6/10
Certainly, the sex was exciting, as well as controversial. But Plato's Retreat also represented an effort to think through the mores behind monogamy, to challenge assumptions and imagine an alternative. Go to Full Review Kam Williams NewsBlaze 04/06/2009
3.5/4
A scary reminder of the potentially-disastrous physical and emotional consequences of indiscriminate mating. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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01/10/2016 Not Something That Completely Interested Me. A Fast-Paced Doco Exploring A Subject Where Your Imagination Can Pretty Much Fill The Gaps (Unintentional Pun There). Nothing Really Else Surprising Other Than The Bizarre List Of Celebrities Caught Up In Taboo, 70s-Disco & Smutty Kink For Hedonistic Immature "Adults".. See more 03/30/2013 I found it interesting. See more 06/12/2012 Candid and interesting look at the '70s swinger lifestyle in New York (particularly surrounding this one club), but a broader, more comprehensive look is begged for here, some grander statement about sexual mores, because this documentary only skirts the edge of the truly interesting commentary on the times in favor of a narrower focus on one dude. See more 03/21/2012 Worth it simply to watch Buck Henry complain about the free buffet at the sex club. It is time for the second coming of Buck Henry! See more 01/09/2012 Batter, batter, batter!!! Swing batter!!!!!! See more 06/15/2011 interesting doc when i got it i thought it was a fictionalized version but this works much better great footage from the period is used. See more Read all reviews
American Swing

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Cast & Crew

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Jon Hart

Director

Matthew Kaufman

Director

Christian Hoagland

Producer

Matthew Kaufman

Producer

Gretchen McGowan

Producer

Jason Kliot

Executive Producer

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American Swing

American Swing (2008) The King of Swing, Larry Levenson, and his queen, Mary, in "American Swing." Rules posted outside the mattress room at Plato's Retreat in "American Swing." The mattress room at Plato's Retreat in "American Swing." Patrons at Plato's Retreat in "American Swing." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In the 1970s New York, clothing-optional nightclub Plato's Retreat becomes a haven for swingers and individuals who cared to indulge in public sexual excess.
Director
Jon Hart, Matthew Kaufman
Producer
Christian Hoagland, Matthew Kaufman, Gretchen McGowan
Distributor
Magnolia Pictures
Production Co
HDNet Films
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 27, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 2, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$28.6K
Runtime
1h 21m