Mike, played by Jon Favreau, who also scripted the work, has just moved to LA from New York with hopes of making it big. He is depressed because things aren't working out exactly as planned. He misses his girlfriend he left back East, and the only work he can find is hosting an open mike night at a comedy club. Enter Trent, played by Vince Vaughan in a star turning role. Trent is the most popular of the group. He is smooth, handsome, and fast-talking which enables him to do very well with members of the opposite sex ("beautiful babies"). In an attempt to get Mike out of his funk and revive his social life, Trent persuades him to take a road trip to Las Vegas (Liman would return to this setting for comedic effect in his entertaining second feature GO!). They hook up with a couple of women but Mike strikes out due to constant reminiscing about his ex-girlfriend.
Upon their return from Vegas, the rest of the film follows Mike, Trent, Sue, Rob and Charles as they drive through Hollywood (each in their own car in case they hook up) searching for women at parties and hip neo-lounge clubs. One of the many brilliant scenes involves a discussion of how long one should wait to call a girl after she gives her phone number. Mike does not listen to his friends advice and he leaves messages on a woman's answering machine immediately after meeting her, with disasterous results. It is painfully funny and effectively illustrates his lack of self confidence and awkwardness with women.
Director Liman impressively captures the ambience of the burgeoning neo-swing scene, but the strongest aspects of the this film are the witty dialogue and the Tarantino inspired pop culture references, including "stolen" shots from Scorsese's Goodfellas, and Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs. The acting is consistent all around including Patrick Van Horn as Sue, Ron Livingston as Rob, and Heather Graham (Drugstore Cowboy, Boogie Nights) as Mike's love interest. Swingers also boasts a great swing soundtrack including tunes from Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, King Floyd and the Average White Band. The film is available on VHS and DVD.