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SWINGERS MASSACRE (1975)
aka INSIDE AMY
Directed by Ron Garcia
Even Steven Productions VHS
Reviewed 06.28.07
Review by Joseph A. Ziemba
THE FILM
Marital bliss cannot be attained
with suggestions such as, "You
know honey, I think swapping may
very well enhance our sex life."
If you don't believe it, just ask
Charlie and Amy.
Do you like sex? Of course you do.
Therefore, a word of caution must
precede Swingers Massacre
aka Inside Amy, a sexploitation
shocker from director Ron Garcia
(The Toy Box) and director
of photography Donald Jones (The
Forest). Should Swingers
happen to penetrate your VCR, it's
only fair to warn you that this
film has poor taste in casting.
And poorer taste in titillation.
Ugly People populate this motion
picture. Ugly People who are very
sweaty. Ugly People who talk dirty
and do the deed. A lot. So cover
your libido's eyes, but at the same
time, open your own eyes. The consequences
of "swapping" are not
to be taken lightly. At least, according
to this movie. Swing through "Filthy
McNasty's Dancing Club" tonight
and you'll see what I mean.
Charlie and Amy Tishman are rich,
married, and happy. Or so it seems.
After Charlie (the lawyer) gets
a whiff of the Swinger lifestyle,
he pressures Amy (the houswife)
into exploring their options. Amy
refuses, but relents after a romantic
evening of Charlie's "quick
draw" loving. Off to Filthy
McNasty's! Sweat, sweat, and more
sweat. With persuasion from Chuck,
the couple ends up at their first
swap party. Disaster strikes. Charlie
can't get it up; Amy is a hit ("She
has to be the best fuck we've ever
had!"). Jealousy. Anger. Self-pity.
Alcohol. After another limp swip-swap
encounter, Charlie loses his marbles.
Revenge is in the air. Usher in
the Swingers Massacre.
At 105 minutes, Swingers Massacre
easily overstays its welcome. But
it's not what you think. Aside from
the sheer absurdity, strung-out
acting, and flute-funk soundtrack,
this film is nothing to laugh at.
While the sex is tame, the violence
is PG level, and the nudity is sporadic,
blunt emotions hit you like a jackhammer
to the heart. Swingers
is not simply H.G. Lewis's Suburban
Roulette with a 70s mean streak.
This is a far heavier trip; it's
unique and intriguing, but questions
the ideal of cheap exploitation
as unrestrained "entertainment".
There's no fun to be had. Only downbeat
angst. For that reason alone, Swingers
makes a raw-ass name for itself.
However, half of the sex, most of
the arguing, and all of the useless
cop investigations deserved the
boot. 75 minutes would've covered
it. Sorry, Charlie.
"You were just a body -- to
stick it into!" Bliss doesn't
come cheap.
AUDIO AND VIDEO
Pitch black visuals, lots of fuzz,
ghosting, and waning colors. I wonder
why Even Steven Productions didn't
stick around?
EXTRAS
None, but I had to watch an episode
of What's Happening Now!
to level myself out. Fithy McNasty's
could learn a lot from Rob's Place.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Tell 'em Filthy set ya. No one will
refute the fact that the rare Swingers
Massacre, despite its lack
of explicitness, is pretty smutty.
And grim. Although the film's steadfast
negativity is what propels it, there's
a steep decline in kicks during
the second half. See it if you must,
but don't get your hopes up.
Thanks to Eric Robitaille for
providing a copy of this film! |
Just call him "Sweats"
When a man loves a woman
Strike three
Chuck amok
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