Saturday, January 24, 2009

"Our little baby's all grows up"

As a writer, I love well-written films, so you can imagine how much I adore "SWINGERS," the 1996 comedy directed by Doug Liman and written by JON FAVREAU.
It's the type of film that makes me want to quote lines:
"This is the guy behind the guy behind the guy," VINCE VAUGHN as Trent says about Favreau's Mike.
The LOS ANGELES TIMES included "Swingers" in its list of the 25 BEST FILMS ABOUT L.A. IN THE PAST 25 YEARS, and one exchange in particular seems to really ground the film firmly in the SOUTHLAND.
It occurs after (the boy named) Sue has pulled a gun on a passing group of toughs.

Mike: What the f*** are you carrying a gun for? What, in case somebody steps to you, Snoop Dogg?
Sue: Hey man, you're not from here, alright. You don't know how it is. I grew up in L.A.
Trent: Anaheim.
Sue: Whatever, man. It's different out here. It's not like New York, Mikey.
An Angelenos' elitism over denizens of the O.C. is in that exchange, as is the O.C. identification with a greater, "cooler" Southland.
Favreau nails the Southland experience in that exchange and throughout the film, making "Swingers" one of my favorites.