Singles - L'amore è un gioco

In the 80s, three directors perfectly captured the comedy of young American growing pains. These directors are John Hughes ("Sixteen Candles", "Breakfast Club", "Ferris Buehler"), Savage Steve Holland ("Better Off Dead") and Cameron Crowe ("Say Anything"). All of these films are characterized by witty, tongue-in-cheek dialogue (satirical but not sarcastic) and surreal, music-video-like gags such as, I dunno, a pigburger patty grabbing a guitar and rocking out to Van Halen's "Everybody Wants Some".

When the 80s ended, apparently so did their unique and idiosyncratic brand of humour. John Hughes stopped directing in 91, and Savage Steve's last feature film was also in 91. Cameron Crowe evolved into a different style with his hugely successful 30-something comedy "Jerry Maguire". Here, folks, in 1992 I believe we have the last (and possibly best) of the great 80s growing-up films. If you've seen the others I mentioned, don't consider your life complete until you see "Singles".

Even with Crowe's 1989 "Say Anything", focusing on high school graduation, Crowe was the most mature of the bunch yet every bit as quirky and hilarious. "Singles" covers the next age, 23-to-27, establishing careers and facing grown up problems but still as wild and emotionally reckless as high school kids. I suppose some of us carry that same crazy recklessness late into life which is what makes this movie great for oddballs of all ages.

The movie is perfectly cast with Cambell Scott in the lead (think John Cusack but a sharper dresser), Kyra Sedgwick as a slightly flakey control freak (maybe an early version of Tina Fey in "30 Rock"), and a host of awesome supporting characters: Bridget Fonda as the slightly neurotic groupie who refuses to admit that she's a groupie, Sheila Kelley (remember the hot paralegal in LA Law?) who plays a goofy, insecure maneater, Eric Stoltz (Caprica, Pulp Fiction, The Prophecy) in the oddest role he's ever played: an obnoxious mime who won't shut up, and of course the show-stealer Matt Dillon as the not-so-bright artist/rockstar whose magnum opus is a song called "Touch Me, I'm Dick".

Speaking of rock music, cameo appearances, as well as performances, include... are you paying attention, folks...?

Eddie Vedder, Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard from Pearl Jam

Chris Cornell and the gang from Soundgarden (watch for Chris in the scene where a car stereo installation goes horribly awry)

Thomas Doyle singer for TAD (he's the guy who delivers the hilarious punchline "You got the wrong number, lady, but I'll be right over")

Pat Nizzio singer for The Smithereens

Everyone from Alice in Chains

Jeremy Piven (Ari Gold in Entourage) as the funniest checkout clerk you've ever seen

Bill Pullman (the President of the USA in "Independence Day", here playing a nerdy breast implant surgeon)

Paul Giamatti in one of his first speaking roles ever (with the 1-word line: "What?!!")

Cameron Crowe's mother

and none other than director TIM BURTON as Bryan the next Martin Scorcese (pronounced "Score-seeez" haha)

And if that's not enough to make you want to rush out and rent this movie, don't forget the killer soundtrack with tunes by the aforementioned bands plus Jane's Addiction, Smashing Pumpkins, Paul Westerberg (The Replacements) and others I'm probably forgetting.

The story itself is fantastic, not only hilarious but probably the most insightful peek into romance disorder since "When Harry Met Sally". This comedy has it all. See it, see it again. Live it. And praise the gods of 80s comedy that we were given this final masterpiece of a bygone era.

If you lived it, you love it. If not, you try to appreciate and judge if not willing. This captures the magic of a time and a city, and mostly the magic that Nirvana brought forth.

This movie was so much more like TV sitcom "friends" than "sex and the city", i mean, it makes you approach to people in their early 20s on a different level than just sex. Boy!!! would i like to have seen more of Campbell Scott & kyra Sedgwick. i mean, they have so much chemistry that you just wish you could be part of them. Scott began his career with very big promise (with this, longtime companion, the sheltering sky and dying young) but without you even noticing, he became a indie dude that chose the worst roles in the worst indie movies (at least, until secret lives of dentist) and there's a big talent wasted. Kyra Sedgwick's on a similar position (great beginning with born on 4th of July and something to talk about and then...just dissapearing into shi**y roles).Bridget Fonda achieves yet another great performance of her early career (along with single white female and Jackie brown) and shows she can be so sexy without being the classic boob-blonde girl. Cameron crowe, well, i would do a standing ovation if i ever get to meet him. he made a great movie, and practically, a gen-x classic. good for you.

Having lived in Seattle during the years of my life most of the characters are in this movie, I was able to relate to this movie. Anyone who has lived in an apartment complex where people have dated and known a bit too much about each other can appreciate this film. The cameo appearances of members of pearl jam and xavier mcdaniel were a great touch.

The viewer is left with what I could call a warm feeling much like watching the sun set on a day towards the end of summer. Contemplation of all the good and bad that may have occurred in the last few months..

Maybe that's a bit too abstract, but if this movie gets you there then fine.

And yes, the sun does shine sometimes in Seattle!

This was a 90's version of all those high school films in the 80's some of us are old enough to remember.

We deliberately date the film and tap into the grunge era of Seattle. When done on purpose....it can be done very well. This was.

We see the baggy shorts and layered flannel on the guys, the leggings and quirky hats on the girls, and the disheveled hair on both. But funnily enough, this flick was in production BEFORE that scene took off. As a result what seemed like cashing in was actually foresight.

The relationships unfolding in the apartment complex were done realistically and the scenes involving the band will be enjoyed by anyone into that era's music. And Campbell Scott almost steals this film. His idea for the city was actually a good one.

And yes that is 3 members of Pearl Jam as Matt Dillons backup band. And see if you can spot Chris "Soundgarden" Cornell coming out to watch Matt show off his new car speakers.

So 90's. But very enjoyable.