2.1 ~ Documentary of the Week

"American Swing" (2008)

From Netflix: "Mathew Kaufman and Jon Hart direct this documentary that chronicles the rise, heyday and decline of New York City's Plato's Retreat, the legendary sex club that catered to adventurous heterosexual couples in the 1970s and beyond. Featuring frank interviews with former members and graphic footage of the club's activities, the film explores how a once-thriving center of free love imploded amid drugs, tangled relationships and the rise of AIDS."

First off, I've gotta say that as a very sexual person, I can totally see the appeal of swing clubs and swinging in general, but as a wife that has always been a little more jealous than the average person, I'm fairly certain that I would castrate my husband if he ever even brought this up as a topic of conversation.

So, that being said...

If I was single, this would totally be my scene LOL

This film is pretty interesting because while it might seem that introducing outside sexual partners might be a bad idea to the average marriage, and maybe in a lot of cases it was, the couples interviewed here are couples that have been married for decades and only feel that their partnership was enhanced because of the swinging. This I can also understand, because I have done a fair share of studying into relationship therapy and the 2 biggest topics of arguments among couples are money and sex, not in that order.

So, doesn't it make sense then that as long as both parties are sexually satisfied, even if it's not with each other, and trust is maintained in the relationship, that that might be the most healthy relationship in existence? Well, of course. But then there's the whole jealousy thing, like I mentioned before. I am not the type to differentiate love and sex. Or rather, I am, but I can't be sure that my partner is that type as well, and that would be my main problem with the idea of swinging.

If people had better communication, and they could just drop their inhibitions with each other and ask for what they want in bed, rather than giving up on satisfying each other and deciding to get satisfaction from other people, maybe swinging wouldn't be something that people felt they'd need to do. I imagine if it's just a fun thing for both parties, why not partake in any case? But I assume that it's like the experiences I've heard about from friends that have had threesomes with a partner that had been monogamous with them...someone ends up hurt because they weren't really as ready for it as they thought they were. The chances of both parties in a couple being as open REALLY to the idea of swinging as they think they are, especially AFTER the first experience, is probably slim.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you ARE in a partnership that could use some extra excitement in your love lives, and you can be absolutely certain that both you and your partner can leave the emotions at the door and just have a good time...then by all means! Perhaps in another time or with a partner that I didn't care as much about (LOL) I could totally be there with you. But I can say for damn near absolute sure that this isn't the lifestyle for me :)

Cool film, lots of old footage, though a little NSFW, both for the footage and the dialogue...if you're not into raunchiness, this is one you oughta stay away from. Fun movie otherwise! Lots of interesting people giving interesting interviews, cool look into where swinging came from and how it gained momentum...great 70s soundtrack too!

BTW, if you are in any way grossed out or otherwise creeped out by OLD people talking VERY openly about sexual acts, IN DETAIL...maybe you should skip this one ;)