The Seattle music scene is the backdrop for this tale of single twentysomethings trying to find themselves and each other in the 1990s. Linda (Kyra Sedgwick) and Steve (Campbell Scott) meet in a club and begin to play the dating game. Janet (Bridget Fonda) has a thing for Cliff (Matt Dillon), who barely acknowledges her existence. Cameron Crowe's (SAY ANYTHING, JERRY MAGUIRE) script tackles the ups and downs of romance with humor and honesty. Highlights include live performances by Alice in Chains and Soundgarden, as well as cameos by the members of Pearl Jam.
The Seattle music scene is the ideal backdrop for Cameron Crowe's (SAY ANYTHING, JERRY MAGUIRE) chronicle of the lives of single twentysomethings in the 1990s. Linda (Kyra Sedgwick) and Steve (Campbell Scott) are both tired of the singles scene and meeting the wrong people. Just when they are each ready to give up and give in to being alone, they meet each other and begin the delicate process of dating. Steve's apartment complex is also home to his ex-girlfriend, Janet (Bridget Fonda), and Cliff (Matt Dillon), the lead singer of a rock band. Janet imagines that Cliff is her boyfriend while Cliff considers her one of a few casual acquaintances. Debbie (Sheila Kelley), who also lives in the complex, resorts to video dating in her attempt to meet men with humorous but disastrous results. Crowe's script captures the nuances of relationships and romance (as he did with teen love in 1989's SAY ANYTHING) and follows the rocky roads that relationships can take. Music is the other main character here, with live performances from Alice in Chains and Soundgarden, cameos by the members of Pearl Jam, and a soundtrack that also includes titles by Paul Westerberg and Mudhoney.
Theatrical release date: September 1992.
Cameron Crowe is married to Nancy Wilson, of the rock group Heart.
Cameron Crowe says of SINGLES: "It's about the lengths people go to to make a connection with another person, the good advice and bad advice they get along the way."
Writer-director-producer James L. Brooks, Cameron Crowe's mentor and the executive producer of his directorial debut, SAY ANYTHING (1989), says of him: "There are only a handful of people who have a distinctive voice. Cameron has that voice. He really does see the world in a certain way. If he doesn't do a movie, no one else will."
There are several cameos in the film, including appearances by members of Pearl Jam (who play Matt Dillon's bandmates in the fictional group Citizen Dick) before they achieved MTV superstardom. Other cameos include: live performances by Soundgarden and Alice in Chains; Cameron Crowe as a rock journalist interviewing the band; director Tim Burton as an aspiring filmmaker who works for a video-dating service; Pat DiNizio, lead singer of the Smithereens; and basketball star Xavier McDaniel as himself.
Citizen Dick (Matt Dillon and the members of Pearl Jam) performs the song "Touch Me I'm Dick," which is really just the Mudhoney song "Touch Me I'm Sick" with a few lyrical alterations.
Paul Westerberg, who wrote and performed the theme song "Dyslexic Heart" for the film's soundtrack, was formerly a member of the seminal rock band the Replacements. That group disbanded in 1990; the SINGLES soundtrack is Westerberg's first solo project.
"Don't do this to me; don't make me remember this chili dog forever!"--Linda Powell (Kyra Sedgwick) to Steve Dunne (Campbell Scott) after he proposes marriage to her over lunch.
"I'm tired of all the games."--Linda Powell (Kyra Sedgwick), regarding relationships.
"Being alone--there's a certain dignity to it."--Janet Livermore (Bridget Fonda)
"Does everyone go through this?" "No I think just us..."--exchange between Cliff Poncier (Matt Dillon) and Janet Livermore (Bridget Fonda)
DVD Features:
Region 1
Snap Case
Full Frame - 1.33
Letterbox - 1.85
Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital Surround - English
Dolby Digital Surround - French
Additional Release Material:
Trailers: Theatrical Trailer
Interactive Features:
Scene Access
Interactive Menus
Text/Photo Galleries:
Production Notes
Stars
Bridget Fonda: American actress, SINGLE WHITE FEMALE
Campbell Scott: American Actor, indie film director
Kyra Sedgwick: American Actress
Matt Dillon: American actor, DRUGSTORE COWBOY (1989)
Sheila Kelley: American Actress
Jim True: American Actor
Bill Pullman: American actor
Jeremy Piven: TV/stage/film actor, Entourage/SMOKIN' ACES
James Le Gros:
Camilo Gallardo: Actress/"Of Love"
Ally Walker: Actress/"Seventh Coin"
Eric Stoltz: American actor, MASK, PULP FICTION
Tom Skerritt: American actor
Peter Horton: American TV Actor
Chuck McQuary:
Christopher Masterson: Actor, MALCOM IN THE MIDDLE
Director
Cameron Crowe: Screenwriter, FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH (1982)
Producer
Cameron Crowe: Screenwriter, FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH (1982)
Richard Hashimoto:
Associate Producer
Richard Chew: Editor
Screenwriter
Cameron Crowe: Screenwriter, FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH (1982)
Composer
Paul Westerberg: American Singer/Songwriter
Art Director
Mark Haack: art director, SINGLES
Cameo
Tim Burton: American director
Costume Designer
Jane Ruhm:
Director of Photography
Richard Chew: Editor
Director of Photography
Tak Fujimoto:
Executive Producer
Art Linson: Producer/Director
Executive Producer
Ueli Steiger: DOP\"THE HOT SPOT"
Featured
Alice In Chains:
Featured
Chris Cornell: Soundgarden vocalist
Featured
Eddie Vedder: Rock Singer, Pearl Jam
Featured
Jeff Ament: Rock Bassist, Pearl Jam
Featured
Pat DiNizio:
Featured
Stone Gossard: Pearl Jam Guitarist
Production Designer
Stephen J. Lineweaver:
Additional Music/Songs
Chris Cornell: Soundgarden vocalist
Review 1:
"...SINGLES is singularly sweet. It's a companionable movie about companionship....Crowe's affection for his actors is part of the package too, and they respond with the kind of winning ensemble work that turns every scene into a spirited jamboree..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.F1 09/18/1992
Review 2:
"...Buoyant, utterly charming....Hip, humorous, vastly likable characters..."
Source: New York Times
p.C3 09/18/1992
Review 3:
"...It's easy to like these characters, and care about them..."
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
p.41 09/18/1992
Review 4:
"...A sweetly exuberant romantic comedy..."
Source: Rolling Stone
p.72 10/01/1992
Review 5:
"...Crowe and his personable cast make their vulnerability vivid and engaging....[The] film has a relaxed, rambling structure and the hip, ironic tone to complement Seattle' boho atmosphere..."
Source: Sight and Sound
p.58-9 02/01/1993