Its hard to think of a film set in 1992 as a Period Piece, but the Cameron Crowe rom-com “Singles” manages to fully encompass a particularly great year in a time-capsuled sort of way.
The early 90s were famous for grunge music, coffee shops, and Generation-X, and with the city of Seattle serving as the setting, all are flawlessly represented in a way unlike any other picture. The giant rainy town in the Pacific Northwest is the only possible backdrop to the story; vignettes introducing us to a group of single young adults just trying to get by and of course, fall in love.
The inner city feel of gloomy Seattle is brought to the front as the characters and story take place in various apartment buildings, offices, and cafes scattered throughout the urban landscape. The neighbors in the buildings become like family to one another, and like a close knit family, their lives are ultimately interwoven.
What makes “Singles” so unique and a fascinating study is that the year of 1992 becomes a character in itself. Dating and finding a match has existed in every time period in history. In 1992 there were no apps to make swiping on attractive faces a simplicity. Rather, you needed courage to meet someone. You needed to approach a stranger in a loud bar, have an initial chemistry, and a bit of luck. The players in the film get terrible advice from their friends like “have fun, stay single forever” or believe that despite being surrounded by eligible bachelors, there are “no guys around.”
Like his debut “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” writer/director Cameron Crowe manages to tell a captivating story with an ultimately simple concept. He also carves out a slice of history, and one that can be looked back on with great nostalgia. The 1992 backdrop offers us a peak into the window of yesteryear with big baggy sweaters, a Safe Sex Party, cheap jalopies, and rotary phones. High end technology is displayed as a garage door opener that doubles as a pager, or a character boasting that his new Casio watch can store up to 20 phone numbers.
The ensemble cast is fronted by two single women and two single men; roles played by Bridget Fonda and Kyra Sedgwick, and Campbell Scott and Matt Dillon respectively. Each has their own story, breaking the fourth wall at times to explain history or past details. Each deals with being single in their own way. Some cherish unexpected love, others seem to bask in the glory of having no relationship. The chemistry among the cast is perfect, with Matt Dillon being highly memorable as a hysterical wannabe grunge musician with little in the way of talent.
The characters are perfectly relateable as being average single folks that want a romantic connection but somehow feel as though the dating world is plotting against them. All the characters in the movie are pretty average in terms of appearance, and this facet makes it so much more plausible that they struggle to meet Mr. or Mrs. Right just like anyone else.
As is the case with 1992, the “Singles” soundtrack is an excellent balance of brooding popular tunes and lesser known relics from the glorious Seattle music scene. Famous bands Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden all make appearances and cameos, and its a treat to watch them on screen, doing their passion before they were megastars.
“Singles” is a simple movie from a simpler time. Its a story that we all know and have watched countless nights before. The uniqueness comes in its presentation and historical roots.
by – Matt DeCristo
