Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- warm
- wistful
- sincere
- period drama night
- romantic movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the period recreation and smooth direction absorbing, while judging the characterization and romantic writing underdeveloped and uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Kay and Hazel become close friends while facing hostility and condescension from male factory workers.
Kay becomes a riveter after Jack enlists, challenging the expectations of a 1940s housewife.
Kay is attracted to Lucky while remaining conflicted about betraying Jack during his military absence.
Critics specifically noted the elaborate recreation of 1940s settings and moods, including the aircraft factory and housing complex.
Films like Swing Shift, and why
A League of Their Own
women entering industrial work during wartime, gender-role conflict, and romantic drama
The Sullivans
home-front wartime setting, female friendship, romance, and changing social roles
9 to 5
period workplace drama centered on women, friendship, and social independence
The Best Years of Our Lives
romantic drama shaped by wartime separation and emotional conflict
Movie Details
- Director
- Jonathan Demme
- Release Date
- 1984-04-13
- Runtime
- 100 min
- Rating
- 5.6 / 10 (89)
Cast
- Goldie Hawn
- Kurt Russell
- Christine Lahti
- Fred Ward
- Ed Harris
- Sudie Bond
- Holly Hunter
- Patty Maloney
- Lisa Pelikan
- Susan Peretz
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Swing Shift about?
- A sheltered 1940s housewife discovers independence and female solidarity on an aircraft assembly line while wartime separation tests her marriage.
- What is Swing Shift like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Swing Shift as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Swing Shift violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Swing Shift.
- What did critics think of Swing Shift?
- Critics broadly found the period recreation and smooth direction absorbing, while judging the characterization and romantic writing underdeveloped and uneven.
- Which films are like Swing Shift?
- Films with a similar feel include A League of Their Own, The Sullivans, 9 to 5, and The Best Years of Our Lives.
- How long is Swing Shift?
- Swing Shift runs 100 minutes.
- Where can I watch Swing Shift?
- In United States, Swing Shift streams on Howdy Amazon Channel.
