Singles
This movie really only works as a time capsule for 90s grunge culture in Seattle, as the film features music and cameo appearances from many of the big grunge acts that were big in Seattle at the time (Alice in Chains, Mudhoney, Soundgarden, etc), and even very famously features Matt Dillon as the leading man in the fake band “Citizen Dick”, with members of Pearl Jam Eddie Vedder, Jeff Ament, and Stone Gossard all playing the backing instruments in his band (A compliment for us is a compliment for you!)
The film follows a semi anthological structure, featuring many different characters and how they navigate their love lives between one another within the city. The characters within the film all fall within the basic archetypes from this place at this specific time period, and are all pretty barebones and not given much depth. But after viewing this film a few times, it becomes quite clear that Cameron Crowe intended these characters to be left as blank slates, so people from this generation would more easily be able to place themselves within these characters, even when watching this film decades from its original release. Brilliant!
The biggest and most well remembered part of this film is it’s incredible soundtrack, featuring amazing and timeless songs such as Pearl Jam’s “State of Love and Trust” and Chris Cornell’s “Seasons”. The soundtrack was certified platinum even before the film was released, so I’m well aware that people only care about this movie for the music, but it really doesn’t get the credit it deserves, especially in terms of how it tells its story and presents its characters. As someone who only really can connect with other people based on similar music tastes, a film like Singles really holds a lot of resonation with me, as the characters in this film really only find each other and build their relationships based on their mutual love for grunge rock, and the passion they feel for the culture within the city. I might be giving the film more credit than anyone feels it deserves, but this is just what I’ve noticed during the 50 times I’ve watched this movie and I’m just speaking from the heart (and my big brain) so whatever 🤷♂️
It’s cool to dunk on Cameron Crowe lately for making a bunch of dumb bullshit but he used to make some certifiably classic films back when he was younger, and Singles is my personal favorite.
Anyway, I’ve written longer essays for university film classes about this movie so I won’t dive much deeper, but I love it and don’t care whom no one think 🤗🤗