Swingers tells the story of Mike (John Favreau), an NYC comedian transplanted to the land of swimming pools and movie stars in search of the elusive "big time." Like all his friends, though, Mike is decidedly "small time"--broke, dateless and unemployed. Mike's biggest problem is that, after six months, he's still hung up on his ex-girlfriend from back East. Despite the most fervent efforts of his pals (a pack of hip retro lounge lizards), Mike remains resolutely depressed. Mike's best friend Trent (Vince Vaughn) is a mile-a-minute hipster who prowls L.A.'s swankiest watering holes in search of "babies" (women) and "digits" (phone numbers). Trent does his best to dig his mopey pal out of a black and blue funk, doling out some hilarious dating advice, dragging him to the coolest parties and proposing a spur-of-the-moment trip to Las Vegas.

Swingers natural claim to fame is that it's the first film to depict the growing world of the Cocktail Nation. Crooners like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin are worshipped as gods. Colorful L.A. lounges like the Dresden Room, the Lava Lounge and the Derby are depicted in all their neon-lit, smoke-filled glory. Everyone wears the requisite bowling shirts, pocket chains and well-greased hairdos. Many martinis are quaffed, and several energetic swing dances are spotlighted. Everything is shot on location, giving a thoroughly authentic feel. I doubt that anyone could sit through this one without feeling the urgent need for a cocktail and a well-stocked jukebox.

The worm's-eye view of male dating rituals is a scream for any real man and a total eye-opener for any curious female. Swingers' strongest suit is its self-deprecating sense of humor. Even at the best of times, these self-styled "swingers" engage in a complex dance of confidence building and insult slinging in an attempt to goad each other into chatting up an appropriate lady. No one is ever too "cool" in this film. The sequence in which Mike and Trent try to "make the scene" as high rollers in Vegas (with disastrously lame results) is priceless.

Actor John Favreau served as the screenwriter as well as star for Swingers and wound up casting most of his pals in the supporting roles. As expected, the acting is all great (everyone is basically playing themselves). Vince Vaughn is a special standout as the kind of confident, funny, constantly "on" (but ultimately obnoxious) best friend that everyone wishes they had (and sometimes didn't have). No surprise that Vaughn has already been snapped up by none other than Steven Spielberg to star in next summer's Jurassic Park sequel, The Lost World. Favreau's dialogue-heavy script is snappy, funny and spot-on accurate. The slang is liberally tossed around and feels perfectly natural. Expect to repeat many of this film's choicer lines for weeks to come.

Actor/writer John Favreau and his pal, director Doug Liman, have fashioned this simple shot-on-a-shoestring slice-of-life into a clever, incisive glimpse into the modern world of dating. And if you're not already a highball-swilling, finger-snapping member of the Cocktail Nation, you may just be a convert by the time this flick is done.