''The Big Swap'' is a 1998 British drama film written and directed by

Niall Johnson Niall Johnson (born in 1964) is an English screenwriter and film director. He is best known for his 2005 comedy film ''Keeping Mum ''Keeping Mum'' is a 2005 British black comedy film co written and directed by Niall Johnson and starring Ro ...

. It discusses the exchanging sexual partners for one night between bunch of friends and how it affects their lives.

Plot

A group of friends meet and plan to swap partners for one night. Every man brings his car key and they all throw it in a bunch of bowl and mix it up. Then the women picks up blindfolded one of the car keys and has to spend a night with whoever's owner of that car key. It's all fun and games at first, but after the party they all begin to regret their choices and the direction of their lives.

Cast

* Mark Adams as Sam * Sorcha Brooks as Ellen * Mark Caven as Michael * Alison Egan as Eve * Richard Cherry as Hal * Julie-Ann Gillitt as Liz * Anthony Edridge as Jack * Clark Hayes as Fi * Thierry Harcourt as Tony * Jackie Sawiris as Sydney * Kevin Howarth as Julian

Release

''The Big Swap'' was released 12 June 1998.

Reception

Brendan Kelly of ''

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' wrote, "Partner-swapping may be a catchy concept to start with, but ''The Big Swap'' simply isn't sexy enough, nor does it have enough post-coital emotional resonance to maintain interest over its two-hour running time." Jessica Mellor of ''

Empire An empire is a "political unit" made up of several territories and peoples, "usually created by conquest, and divided between a dominant center and subordinate peripheries". The center of the empire (sometimes referred to as the metropole) ex ...

'' rated it 2/5 stars and wrote, "Even with lots of shagging and some hilariously cringe-making moments, the climax ironically comes much too soon and leaves the viewer feeling frustrated rather than satisfied." ''

Total Film ''Total Film'' is a British film magazine published 13 times a year (published monthly and a summer issue is added every year since issue 91, 2004, which is published between July and August issue) by Future Publishing. The magazine was launched i ...

'' rated it 2/5 stars and wrote, " is low-budget Brit flick fails to ignite, held back by rudimentary production values and bland characters."

References

External links

* 1998 films 1998 drama films British drama films 1990s English-language films 1990s British films {{1990s-UK-film-stub