Watch American Swing

American Swing (2008) is a documentary film that explores the rise and fall of New York City's infamous swingers club, Plato's Retreat, during the 1970s. The film is directed by documentary filmmakers Jon Hart and Mathew Kaufman who have chronicled the world of underground sexuality in films like "Sex with Strangers" and "The Great Porn Debate."

The film takes us on a journey back to the 1970s, a time when sexual liberation, disco music, and free love were all the rage. The documentary features interviews with former patrons and employees of the club, along with footage from the club's heyday, including revealing and sometimes shocking footage of the club's sexual activities.

The documentary opens with archive footage of New York City in the 1970s, a city that was financially strapped and facing social unrest. Against this backdrop, the sexual revolution was unfolding. The film then introduces us to Larry Levenson, the man behind Plato's Retreat. Levenson, a furniture salesman turned entrepreneur, was a fascinating character who saw an opportunity to make a fortune by opening up a club where people could live out their sexual fantasies, free from the judgments of the traditional society.

The film explores the workings and rituals of Plato's Retreat. The club was open seven days a week, with a variety of events held every night. The film takes us inside the club on one of its famous "panty nights." Patrons who forgot to wear underwear were invited to remove their pants and dance around in nothing but their panties. We also see footage of the infamous "mat room," where patrons could go to have sex in full view of others.

Through interviews with former patrons and employees, the film exposes the behind-the-scenes workings of the club, including the politics among its members, the presence of the Mafia, and how the club was able to operate within the boundaries of the law.

The film also explores the darker side of Plato's Retreat, including the drug use and abuse, the sexually transmitted diseases that spread within the club, and the eventual decline of the club due to changing social attitudes towards sex.

The documentary features interviews with notable figures from the era, including sexologist Dr. Ruth Westheimer and comedian Irwin Corey. The film also includes a soundtrack of disco music that was popular during the 1970s.

Overall, American Swing is a fascinating and often revealing look at a bygone era of sexual liberation and experimentation. The film provides a unique insight into the world of swingers clubs and the people who frequented them. It's a must-watch for anyone interested in the history of sexuality in America.

American Swing is a 2009 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 21 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 59.