Swing Shift (1984)

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Average Rating: 7.2/10
Reviews Counted: 12
Fresh: 11 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: 2.9/5
User Ratings: 3,207

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Movie Info

Director Jonathan Demme made one of his more conventional movies with Swing Shift, an examination of life on the American home front during WWII. Goldie Hawn, who also served as the film's producer, stars as Kay, a woman who takes a job on the line at a plant producing war planes after her husband goes off to fight in Europe. One of her coworkers is her best friend Hazel, played by Christine Lahti, whose performance earned an Oscar nomination and a New York Film Critics award. Kay falls in love

PG, 1 hr. 40 min.

Drama, Romance, Comedy

Directed By: Jonathan Demme

In Theaters: Apr 13, 1984 Wide

On DVD: Jun 1, 2004

WARNER BROTHERS PICTURES

Cast

Goldie Hawn
Kay
Kurt Russell
Lucky
Christine Lahti
Hazel Zanussi
Fred Ward
Biscuits
Ed Harris
Jack
Holly Hunter
Jeannie
Patty Maloney
Laverne
Lisa Pelikan
Violet
Susan Peretz
Edith
Todd Allen
Col. Bobby Danzig
Joey Aresco
Johnny Bonnano
Susan Barnes
Skinny
Morris "Tex" Biggs
Clarence
Sudie Bond
Annie
Gene Borkan
MP at Embarkation Point
Belinda Carlisle
Jamboree Singer
Don Carrara
Drunk Soldier
Reid Cruickshanks
Spike
Dennis Fimple
Rupert George
Laura Hawn
Ethel
Eugene W. Jackson
Bartender
Penny Johnson
Genevieve
Chris Lemmon
Lt. O'Connor
Deena Marie
Piper Girl
Sandy McLeod
2nd Interviewer
Marvin Miller
Rollo
Belita Moreno
Mabel Stoddard
Charles Napier
Moon Willens
Harry Northrup
New Year's Eve Marine
Roger Rook
Bellhop
Chino "Fats" Williams
Bouncer
Lisa Chadwick
Vocalist at Kelly's
Roger Corman
Mr. MacBride
Gary Goetzman
"Swing Shift" Bandleade...
Beth Henley
Bible Pusher
Maggie Renzi
1st Interviewer
Alana Stewart
Frankie Parker
Stephen Tobolowsky
Documentary Narrator/Fr...
Alan Toy
Assistant Cribman
Oceana Marr
Ladies Room Inspector
Isabell Monk
Rita
George "Red" Schwartz
Cribman
Eddie Smith
Waiter at Kelly's
Marion Dougherty
Phillip Christon
Recruit at Egyptian

Critic Reviews for Swing Shift

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All Critics (12) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (11) | Rotten (1) | DVD (5)

Swing Shift tries ... to twist some consequence out of a tawdry adulterous tryst by a couple of self-centered sneaks. But the writing and acting are too flat for the challenge.

July 24, 2008 Full Review Source: Variety

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Variety Staff

Variety

Top Critic

There's no suspense and no big emotional payoff, but the movie is always absorbing.

October 23, 2004 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

Offers Miss Hawn her best role since ''Private Benjamin,'' and she is most winning.

August 30, 2004 Full Review Source: New York Times

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Vincent Canby

New York Times

Top Critic

At its heart lies a sweet romance, with good performances from both the leads and an Oscar nomination for supporting actress Lahti.

January 3, 2012 Full Review Source: Empire Magazine

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Empire Magazine

Demme's characteristic generosity toward his characters and refusal to make absolute moral judgments are strong points, while the feminist subtext adds freshness to the story.

January 3, 2012 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

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TV Guide's Movie Guide

Despite compromises, a result of interference in director Demme's work, this fictional look at a Rosie the Riveter kind of woman displays a nice feminist perspective on WWII and terrific performances from Goldie Hawn and especially Christine Lahti.

July 31, 2008 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Hawn, atypically cast and supported by all-round excellent performances, proves that she can act.

February 9, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Sofia Coppola and Wes Anderson could learn a few things watching this. Or maybe they already have.

January 15, 2004 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com

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Pete Croatto

Filmcritic.com

Effectively conveys how World War II changed men, women work and family

July 23, 2003 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice

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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

The film certainly can't seem to decide whether it wants to be a genial romantic comedy or something more truthful, but it is never less than watchable.

May 24, 2003 Full Review Source: Film4

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Film4

Audience Reviews for Swing Shift

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Nice period feeling and an interesting premise that doesn't get a lot of attention, womens role in the workplace during WWII. They should have focused on that and left the weak love story out and would have been a better film. The other problem is that Goldie's and Russell's characters are not really people you feel much empathy for, she's spoiled and selfish and he's really rather a jerk. Christine Lahti however steals every second she's on screen and has the character you care about the most.

May 4, 2009

jay nixon

Super Reviewer

Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell and Christine Lahti shine in their portrayal of those left behind to build the US war machine while the able-bodied men are off fighting WWII. Ed Harris and Holly Hunter co-star as Goldie's husband and co-worker, respectively.

June 2, 2007