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The Lifestyle

The Lifestyle

Released May 31st, 2001
Running Time 75
Director David Schisgall
Company Winstar Home Video
Critical Rating Not Yet Rated
Genre Alternative

Rating


Reviews

Remember Andy Warhol's theory on sex after the age of 25 ("Look, but don't touch")? It's roundly ignored in this humorous documentary, which focuses on two years in the life of a swingers group - a senior citizens swingers group - in affluent Orange County, California. OC's an idyllic place where Republicans frolic against a sun-kissed backdrop of pools and barbecues and lush, landscaped lawns. Within this suburban paradise lies the headquarters of Panther Place, a swinger haven owned by 73-year-old Bill, who named it in memory of his panther-loving late wife. Bill loves the polyamorous life and enjoys pleasing the ladies ("I'm quite endowed... I hang weights from it"), but his conservative neighbors are less enthusiastic about his hobby, and actually registered a complaint with the local police.

In addition to Bill, there's all manner of feisty, liver-spotted swingers here, as evinced when the documentarians visit a Lifestyles convention and ancient couple Carmen and John take part in a beauty pageant, all decked out in little strips of leather. Carmen wins the contest after pumping her arthritic hips at the judges in a most alarming manner. The swingers are visited again for an update at the end of the vid, and most are still ecstatic about The Life. Interestingly, the only younger couple in the vid is not. When we first meet them, the age gap bothers the female half but she's reassured by the group's sobriety policy because "the drug culture frightens me terribly." Ultimately, she and her disappointed-looking husband abandon the swinging lifestyle for something that suits them both.

You just know there's a Star Trek convention or two lurking in their future.



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