josie

Singles

did i think this was good? no, not really. would i recommend this to anyone? again, no. did i like this anyways? yeah, actually. don’t know what that’s about.

⛪︎

Singles

how to be a teenager in the 90s 😔☹️

BT1886

Singles

One thing that’s immediately clear in Singles is Cameron Crowe’s reputation for understanding the quiet complexities of human nature, particularly when it comes to love, yearning, and the tender awkwardness of romantic uncertainty. The film adopts a very Richard Linklater-inspired structure, set against the backdrop of Seattle’s burgeoning grunge scene.Singlesfollows the lives of four apartment residents as they navigate the messy, confusing world of dating. Rather than going in a much more predictable and digestible rom-com direction, Crowe lets the characters’ emotions guide the pacing of the film, effectively capturing those fleeting, at times frustrating, moments of dating and self-discovery. These characters are neither grandly romantic or overly cynical—they’re realistic. And that’s something I really, truly appreciate. The central couple, Steve Dunn (Campbell Scott) and Linda Powell (Kyra Sedgwick), serve as the film’s core, with their relationship evolving as they work through their own baggage and attempt to connect on a deeper level. Both characters are recovering from past romantic misfires and hesitant to dive headfirst into something new, despite their undeniable chemistry. Crowe doesn’t rush this relationship, despite it being the focus of the film; instead, he lets them breathe, make mistakes, retreat into self-doubt, and slowly, but surely, find their way back to each other. The second couple, Cliff Poncier (Matt Dillon) and Janet Livermore (Bridget Fonda), provide a contrasting take on that same romance—one that starts off one-sided but very, very slowly grows as each character discovers their individuality. In a lesser film we would have Janet find she’s far too good for Cliff (which she may very well be), cast him aside and move on with her life, but I find Crowe’s decision to focus on their personal growth before suggesting they can be ready for a relationship to be a rather bold and exciting direction for their story to take. Maybe it won’t work out, but the important thing is they’re now working together and trying tomakeit work. Crowe’s direction is subtle yet playful, not having to rely on visual spectacle to tell his story; instead his style lies solely on the interplay between what his characters say and what they do. While Singles may not hit the same emotional heights of the other two Crowe films I’ve seen, its charm lies in its honesty. It’s a warm, reflective reminder of how relationships shape us—and of how grateful I am that I never have to enter the dating pool ever again. • Watched in 2025 — Ranked (https://boxd.it/C7Jq6)