This is sort of like _Friends_ with an indie DIY twist. It's about as shallow when it comes to exploring the social lives of people in their twenties. Maybe this was specifically made for that audience in the 90s, because I don't find that much to connect with. The characters and plot are beyond generic, nor do I think it's all that funny. You already feel that corny stamp Crowe typically puts on his movies in the acting and dialogue, though it's not as excruciating here as it'd become later on. The style is mostly bland besides a few of those DIY touches being carried over from other indie films around the same time. It has a few moments of satire regarding the 90s Seattle music scene, which is where the movie briefly pops in its writing and style (probably because Matt Dillon plays a more interesting character than the leads). Still, I think there's something inherently wrong about the use of grunge here. Obviously it makes some sense given the time and place, and I loved the AIC/Soundgarden cameos, but doesn't its inclusion feel a little at odds with the ethos of the genre? It works for a movie exploring a weirdo outsider like Batman, however to me it's completely out of place in this tame slice-of-life rom-com. I kept expecting for it to go in a darker, more mature direction at some point, and it never really does. I probably should've known better given who's in the director's chair, because this is utterly disposable fluff. A watchable nothing movie.

4/10

**_Quirky romcom with the backdrop of the early 90's grunge scene_**

Two 20-something couples and others explore life & love during the advent of the grunge scene in Seattle. Dillon's character is the only one musically involved in the scene, as the vocalist of the band Citizen Dick. The two couples are played by Campbell Scott & Kyra Sedgwick and Bridget Fonda & Dillon while other cast members include Sheila Kelley and Bill Pullman.

Although "Singles" was released in September 1992 it was actually shot in March-May, 1991, a full half a year _before_ the explosion of grunge music with the success of Nirvana's NEVERMIND. Writer/director Cameron Crowe originally wrote the script in 1984 with the setting of Phoenix in mind but rewrote it six years later inspired by how the burgeoning Seattle grunge community came together after the death of Mother Love Bone's singer in March, 1990.

The flick is a little reminiscent of 2001's "Rock Star," but the latter is better IMHO simply because it focuses more on the music scene than romantic relationships. Not to mention the style of music in "Rock Star" is metal, which is preferable in my book (although Alice In Chain's song performed live for this movie definitely smacks of metal).

The very title "Singles" tips off that this is a romcom focusing on dating. As such, if you favor dating movies you'll probably like "Singles," even if you don't particularly like grunge. Speaking of which, the soundtrack includes cuts by grunge luminaries Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Mudhoney, Alice In Chains, Mother Love Bone, Jane's Addiction, Smashing Pumpkins and Screaming Trees, amongst others. In fact, quite a few grunge stars have cameos, such as Chris Cornell, Layne Staley, Eddie Vedder and Kim Thayil.

The film runs 1 hour, 39 minutes, and was shot in Seattle.

GRADE: B-