Singles Chad'z rating: *** (out of 4 = good) 1992, PG-13, 100 minutes [1 hour, 40 minutes] [romantic comedy] starring: Campbell Scott (Steve), Kyra Sedgwick (Linda), Bridget Fonda (Janet), Matt Dillon (Cliff), produced by Cameron Crowe, Richard Hashimoto, written and directed by Cameron Crowe.
The problem with dating is that it can be great for some people, but torture for others. It's hard to meet someone that's both good looking and genuinely interesting, and "Singles" is a good, funny film that plays up the anxiety of this dilemma.
First there is Steve and Linda (Campbell, Sedgwick), who meet cute and are attracted to each other, but must go through the typical flirting games. The way this is shown is both typical and original: typical because scenes like these happen all the time, but original in the way it is portrayed here with the actual flirting games. You really believe these are two, actual people because they don't have perfect chemistry, but we can tell there's potential.
There are other characters with problems like Steve and Linda's, but the film does not become a gratuitous mess of whining and complaining, instead it's a funny, romantic, character study. Janet (Fonda) is a waitress who dates a struggling rock star named Cliff (Dillon). Their problem is commitment: Cliff doesn't want to commit to one woman, although Janet has essentially decided they are, in fact, a couple. She even goes as far to visit a plastic surgeon to get breast implants to save the relationship, but eventually realizes it's the little things that count. Cliff's not worth the trouble... or is he?
Although we don't get to know the characters as well as we could, it's hard not to care about them. Steve and Linda's relationship becomes quite rocky at times, but we still hope they'll stay together because we can sympathize with their conflicts. I'm sure this film will remind everyone of a relationship they had - you're not sure where it is going, who is the one afraid of commitment, or who is the problem. And thankfully, we don't get sappy apologies and predictable make-up scenes. There are no piss-off scenes or tear-jerkers, it treats a breakup in a more believable way than most movies of the sort.
The only problem I had was the fact the film seemed to have an identity crisis: Is it a commercial comedy, a serious romance, or an offbeat, light-hearted drama? Nevertheless, it is still interesting to watch because of its originality and sweet charm.
You could say "Singles" concludes with a happy ending, and it seems appropriate. Crowe has done what only a few mainstream filmmakers are able to do; tap into the mind of Generation X and portray their true feelings and emotions in a believable way.
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