Swing Shift
Seen it?1984 | 100 min | Drama, Romance, War
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (87% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a lukewarm 45% audience score and soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- One for history and war-film fans and romantics. It puts you in the middle of the fighting, and doesn't let you forget the cost. Shelve it next to The Best Years of Our Lives or The Guns of Navarone. Critics like it more than audiences, which usually means it takes its time or takes risks.
- The mood
- Intense, warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Character-first and patient, at 1 hr 40 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG: peril. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
- Skip it if you need something light and fast tonight.
In 1941 America, Kay and her husband are happy enough until he enlists after Pearl Harbor. Against his wishes, she takes a job at the local aircraft plant where she meets Hazel, the singer from across the way. The two soon become firm friends and with the other girls become increasingly expert workers. As the war drags on, Kay finally dates her trumpet-playing foreman and life gets more complicated.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
87% on Rotten Tomatoes, 60 on Metacritic
- AudiencesBelow par
Our audience score: 45%
- AwardsSolid
Nominated for 1 Oscar and 1 Golden Globe.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$7 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 78K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Jonathan Demme
- Goldie HawnKay Walsh
- Kurt RussellLucky Lockhart
- Christine LahtiHazel Zanussi
- Fred WardBiscuits Toohey
- Ed HarrisJack Walsh
- Sudie BondAnnie
- Holly HunterJeannie Sherman
- Patty MaloneyLaverne
- Lisa PelikanViolet Mulligan
- Susan PeretzEdith Castle