There is one heroic figure in this film, but it's not the main character. The center of this are a group of young Germans, who at the outset of events leading to World War II, like to immerse themselves in Swing. They admire Benny Goodman and Django Reinhardt and Duke Ellington. They go to dances and gyrate around in quite remarkable ways. The dancing is fun to watch, but the backdrop of the era is too much to have a great appreciation for their passions. To begin with, they are German. Their lives are pretty much what they want them to be. At the most, the closing of their dance hall is an inconvenience. They can still listen to the music and hang out with their friends. Arvid is the only one who sees the handwriting on the wall and he is crippled. The other guys play tricks and carry out their juvenile agenda. Because of a failed attempt to steal a radio, one gets forced to join the German Youth. His friend follows to keep him company and because was largely responsible for his predicament. There is a sanitized view of this group; they are all fine fellows. Even Noah Wyle, late of ER, who has become the bad ass, ends up developing a friendship with them. Obviously, they face difficulties, and there is growing up to be done and realizations that these Nazis mean business, but it just doesn't wash very well. There is, of course, they woman whose connection to Judaism makes her life in the town dangerous. There are realizations about fathers who were courageous but singled out. But the bottom line is that these guys, had they played it safe, would never have been in much danger (of course, as the German army became decimated, it would have changed, but the silly connection to dancing and the throwing away of life for it...give me a break.
Review of Swing Kids
