Movieo
Poster for Swing Shift

Swing Shift

When America marched off to war the women marched into the factory. From then on...nothing was the same.

1984 · 1h 40m · PG Drama, Romance, War
Directed by Jonathan Demme

Seen it?

Overview

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.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
87%
Tomatometer
Rotten

Swing Shift tries ... to twist some consequence out of a tawdry adulterous tryst by a couple of self-centered sneaks. But the writing and acting are too flat for the challenge.

Variety Staff, Variety
Fresh

Hawn, atypically cast and supported by all-round excellent performances, proves that she can act.

Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Fresh

There's no suspense and no big emotional payoff, but the movie is always absorbing.

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Fresh

Offers Miss Hawn her best role since ''Private Benjamin,'' and she is most winning.

Vincent Canby, New York Times

Comments

Talk about the film with other members

More films