Swing Shift (1984)

Best movie of this year hands down!

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

This is the movie that led to Goldie Hawn's romantic real-life involvement with Kurt Russell. I didn't find him to be the charmer he usually plays but their relationship is believable after he finally convinces her to acknowledge it. At first Kay resists his advances saying she's married but then after several months gives in and seems to fall hopelessly in love with him. Needless to say, her husband then surprises her by coming home unannounced. I won't give anything more away but I will say that I was not too thrilled with the ending.Goldie Hawn did a great job and manages to play her character with vulnerability as well as believability. Like I said, Kurt Russell is not his usual charming self but is still believable as the feisty musician Lucky. Great supporting work here from Christine Lahti who plays Kay's wild singer friend Hazel. Ed Harris plays Kay's husband and Holly Hunter also has a small role. Carly Simon sings the opening theme song. The vibe is there between them because it is real. But this movie just doesn't hold up in the long run. It's fun, but it's nowhere near what Russell and Hawn can do together.Overall rating: 7 out of 10.

Goldie Hawn knows how to make hit movie. Ever since she left, "Laugh In", she continued to shine. In "Swing Shift", she plays a housewife who goes to work, while her husband(Ed Harris) goes out to war. It's World War II, and there's a lot of servicemen out there with spouses. Most of them go find work to support their needs. Too many of them are tortured by loneliness. Kay Walsh (Hawn), happens to be one. So she happened to go to an armament factory. During that time, she was rattled by accidentally drilling a hole in the uniform of Lucky(Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn's real love). She's so ashamed for what she did, Lucky calms her down. Lucky's real job is a musician. Kay's co- worker and neighbor, Hazel(Christine Lahti), is an embittered woman who soon befriends Kay. All 3 decided to have fun during the time. When the husband comes home suddenly, Kay's life becomes upside-down. Knowing that the war is a factor, she tries her best to salvage the marriage. When the war ended, it would be a happy ending, right? However, during the war, a woman was widowed. A very touching film. Full of nostalgia. Recommended. 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Jonathan Demme directed this period piece set during World War II, where women were recruited to take over from men in airplane making factories, because the men had to serve(unless they were declared 4-F).Goldie Hawn, Christine Lahti, and Holly Hunter play the women, while Ed Harris, Fred Ward, and Kurt Russell play the men. The women must overcome the sexism and skepticism from management, and some of the men left behind. With their husbands gone, the women find that their increased responsibility makes them more involved with the world, but also gives way to some temptations as well...Surprisingly bland, even lifeless film feels longer than it is, though it does have a good cast, story doesn't hold viewer interest much, and it feels like a wasted opportunity to portray an important part of the home front aspect of the war.

A great movie...and probably the last really good thing Goldie Hawn has done.During WWII, housewife Hawn is left to fend for herself when husband Ed Harris is shipped off. She gets a job at the local factory and has her consciousness raised after befriending tough Christine Lahti and hooking up with ne'er do well Kurt Russell. The film seesaws between comedy and drama without missing a beat. Hawn is wonderful and the supporting cast is first-rate: Lahti, Russell, Holly Hunter, Charles Napier, and in a cameo, Roger Corman as the factory owner. Look fast for Belinda Carlisle as a USO singer.