DVD Review: American Swing: et al., Jon Hart;Mathew Kaufman: Movies & TV
DVD Review: American Swing: et al., Jon Hart;Mathew Kaufman: Movies & TV
Product Description
The Seventies were sexy and sleazy. At the epicenter of it all was Plato’s Retreat, the controversial, first-ever swingers club. In New York’s conservative Upper West Side, Plato’s embraced adventurous couples who came to dance, to swim, and… to swap. It was the start of a revolution. The brainchild of Larry Levenson, the self-proclaimed King of Swing, Plato’s Retreat quickly emerged as the mainstay of public sex for the me generation, welcoming anyone and everyone. For only $35, couples checked their judgments and pedigrees at the door; debutantes got it on next to bus drivers, as movie stars gave secretaries the starlet treatment. For Levenson and others, Plato s was a utopia. However, this wild party did not last. American Swing brings this enigmatic epic of excess to the screen for the first time.
“We Heterosexuals Can Enjoy That!?!?”,
By Jeffery Mingo
(Homewood, IL USA) -
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)
If you are nostalgic for the 1970s, then you will love this from the start. This documentary was full of butterfly collars, hot pants, and gaudy makeup. If you enjoyed documentaries about Studio 54 or “Last Call at Maud’s,” then this is also for you.
Usually, the minority adapts things from the majority, so it’s surprising when things happen the other way around. For example, the white “Wizard of Oz” came before the Black “The Wiz.” “He-Man,” with its male protagonist, came before “She-Ra,” the female equivalent. The heterosexual “American Pie” came out before “Another Gay Movie.” However, Chris Rock joked at the Oscars that the Johnny Cash film was just a white version of the Ray Charles film. Some are surprised that a Spanish-language “Betty la Fea” came before the English-language “Ugly Betty.” In this documentary what stood out was that the club was for heterosexuals. Many interviewees are quoted saying, “A place for heterosexuals to do that!?”, etc. It’s implied in the work that Plato’s Retreat was the straight version of the St. Marks Baths.
The documentary focuses upon those who loved the club and you don’t hear as much from its detractors. The work promoted gender equality as wives got to have outside partners, not just husbands. Several interviewees said those not typically considered attractive could also find action at the club and not be ridiculed for their bodies. Still, even before HIV was identified, I wondered how attendees avoided STDs. How was sexual harassment handled at Plato’s Retreat? In a documentary about swingers from at least five years ago, a woman stated, “Women are encouraged to explore their bisexuality here, but a man exhibiting bisexual behavior would be asked to leave.” Again, Plato’s Retreat was open before HIV was discovered, but I wonder if male bisexuality was accepted here as much as its female counterpart.
The documentary had both male and female interviewees. Melvin van Peebles sits for an interview here and as a younger person who mostly knows him as a political activist, it was surprising to see him speak about this pleasure dome. Viewers more familiar with his earlier days may not be as surprised. It is implied that interracial sex was accepted at the club and not just intraracial sex. Larry Levenson, the club’s founder was Jewish. Many interviewees here (Ron Jeremy, Annie Sprinkle, Al Goldberg, Ed Koch, et al.) are also Jewish. New York City has a large Jewish community. There are Yiddish phrases intermingled in the statements and archives in this work. Some viewers may not notice the significant Jewish presence in this work, but those who know of Jewish culture and know names of Jewish celebrities will probably notice this clearly.
I love anything with nudity in it. However, this documentary is full of old, worn-out photos and video-tapings on bad 1980s equipment. The poor quality takes away from the nudity which often is only on the screen for just a second. There is male nudity here, but like most everything, most of the nudity is female. Cinematic theories by Laura Mulvey try to explain (and condemn?) this tendency. If you thought the 1970s were sexy, you may like the photos here, but if you thought that period was tacky, then the footage may grate on your nerves.
I am glad someone made this documentary. Since sex sells, why not let younger viewers learn about this bygone institution? This work will help viewers to ponder important topics about sexuality and sexual liberties.
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