Swing Shift

Swing Shift

Year: 1984

Runtime: 100 min

Language: English

Director: Jonathan Demme

DramaRomanceWar

During World War II, a woman supporting her Navy husband finds an unexpected connection while working at an aircraft factory. She develops feelings for a charming man who was deemed unsuitable for military service. When her husband returns home, a complex situation arises, testing their loyalties and challenging their relationships as hidden emotions surface.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Swing Shift (1984)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Swing Shift (1984). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1941–1945

Set during World War II, the film opens after the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941 and follows the characters through the mid-1940s. Kay's factory work and Hazel's nightlife unfold alongside Lucky's musical tours, all within the war years. The narrative culminates in 1945 with Japan's surrender and the men returning home, reshaping the home front.

Location

California, Pacific (aboard U.S. Navy ships)

The story centers on the home front in California where Kay works in an armaments factory during World War II. It also touches on military life as Jack serves aboard U.S. Navy ships in the Pacific. Social spaces like Hazel's club and factory parties anchor the era, illustrating the blend of industrial labor and wartime entertainment. The later focus on an airplane factory highlights women's crucial wartime contributions.

🇺🇸 War-time California 🏭 Industrial town 🎶 Club life

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:14

Main Characters – Swing Shift (1984)

Meet the key characters of Swing Shift (1984), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Kay Walsh (Goldie Hawn)

Kay is a lonely, resourceful wife who takes a factory job to support the war effort. She seeks connection and becomes torn between her husband Jack and her attraction to Lucky, revealing a desire for independence. Her choices drive the plot and challenge conventional notions of fidelity and commitment.

💍 Married 💔 Forbidden romance 🎶 Music lover

Jack Walsh (Kurt Russell)

A naval seaman who returns home unexpectedly on leave and discovers Kay's affair, forcing a blunt confrontation. He is loyal and protective but struggles with distance and desire. His reaction fuels the emotional core of the story.

💍 Married 😡 Jealous 🛡️ Soldier

Hazel

Kay's neighbor and confidante, Hazel is a club singer who becomes a friend to Kay through shared loneliness and music. She navigates her own evolving relationship with Lucky while remaining loyal to Kay. Hazel helps blur the lines between friendship and romance.

🎤 Club singer 💞 Friendship 💔 Complicated romance

Lucky

A charismatic factory worker and band musician who captivates Kay, offering an escape from factory life. His flirtations and touring plans contribute to the love triangle and test Kay's choices. He embodies wartime flirtation and the allure of nightlife.

🎺 Trumpet player 🕺 Charmer 💔 Romantic interest

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:14

Major Themes – Swing Shift (1984)

Explore the central themes of Swing Shift (1984), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Love Triangle

Kay's marriage to Jack is tested when she forms a bond with Lucky. The affair complicates loyalties, revealing longing, fear, and the emotional costs of secret relationships. Hazel's presence adds another layer of tension as friendship intersects with romance. The triangle explores trust, forgiveness, and the challenges of fidelity during wartime.

🧰 Women at Work

The factory setting highlights women's shift into long-term industrial labor during WWII. Kay and Hazel navigate camaraderie, competition, and the pride of contributing to the war effort. Their work reshapes household dynamics and personal independence. The story underscores the era's redefinition of women's roles.

🏡 Homefront Strain

Distance, secrecy, and social expectations strain marriages and friendships during wartime separations. The characters balance duty to country with personal longing and moral choices. The arrival of servicemen at the war's end reconfigures relationships, reinforcing loyalty and resilience. The homefront becomes a pressure cooker for emotion as the war winds down.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:14

Unlock the Full Story of Swing Shift

Don't stop at just watching — explore Swing Shift in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Swing Shift is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Swing Shift Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Swing Shift, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Swing Shift Summary

Swing Shift Timeline

Track the full timeline of Swing Shift with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Swing Shift Timeline

More About Swing Shift

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Swing Shift: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Swing Shift

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