Reviewed by SexHerald Staff
Interesting. Funny. Eye-opening. Dark. Brilliant. I could go on for a whole page with single adjectives and phrases describing my thoughts and feelings on American Swing. American Swing is a documentary that tells the story of the creation and destruction of Plato’s Retreat, the first-ever public swingers club, which was located in New York City’s upper west side during the late 1970s. This film is not just the history of Plato’s Retreat—far from it. American Swing is also a glimpse into the mind of Plato’s Retreat founder and owner Larry Levenson, as well as a visual history of one of the most exciting and revolutionary times for sexuality in America (and perhaps the world).
Before revealing details and stories, I would first like to point out the fact that American Swing has a very smooth flow to it. Oftentimes, documentaries can drag along, offer too little information, or jump around from one interview to the next without establishing a clear thought pattern. American Swing travels along an extremely exciting timeline from 1977 to the mid 80s, before finally stopping around 1991 with the climax of the film. If you were alive and around in these times (specifically the late 70s in NYC), then you know what was happening in and out of the bedroom—a new sexual revolution! A revolution that was further propelled by Levenson, the self-appointed King of Swing. Levenson, and Plato’s Retreat, became a milestone and a legend within the realm of human sexuality. Levenson not only brought the swinging lifestyle to the main stage of life, he opened his own club to promote it!
The club itself wasn’t just a sex club (in the beginning). People came to meet other people, to hold conversation, dance on the disco floor (the former DJ has a great comment about controlling the sex through the tempo of the music), and just enjoy themselves in a very open and relaxing atmosphere. Celebrities like Sammi Davis Jr. and Robin Leech came to chill out and see what the whole scene was about (excellent moment: Abbie Hoffman rolls through and becomes one of the very, very few people who actually did not get laid at the club). Plato’s even had a swimming pool and hot tub where people would actually swim around and take a breather (though sex did occur there as well).
The whole scene really seemed like a big family of friends who were open to sleeping with each other—one giant, happy party. Unfortunately, nothing could last forever. The first half of American Swing brings us from the start of Plato’s to its highest plateau; the second half brings the people involved and the audience crashing down to the inevitable outcome. Tax evasion investigations, jail time, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and Mayor Ed Koch all brought Levenson and Plato’s Retreat from the top to rock bottom.
I don’t want to reveal the outcome, but I have to say I was very sad by the time the film was over. American Swing is a sexual rollercoaster that will leave you feeling horny, scared, curious, and everything in between. Larry Levenson and Plato’s Retreat are true legends. If you are involved in the swinger lifestyle, are curious about it, or if you are just an average person who is happy to have sexual freedom, then you must see this film. American Swing is not just the history of Plato’s Retreat, or the story of Larry ‘King of Swing’ Levenson; it’s an extremely important view of people, sexuality, and a whole lot more. AmericanSwing
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