Review of Singles (1992) by Michael K — 28 Sep 2009

Another one of those films I haven't seen since it was on general release. Has it gotten better or worse? My main criticism of the first film was the Hollywoodisation of grunge culture which seems pretty irrelevant now. Singles was never really a story about grunge or the culture surrounding it and if it was then Cameron Crowe missed big style. Singles is a twentysomethings relationship film that manages to capture and occasionally explore in a similar manner to Annie Hall. Although Singles is way behind Allen's masterpiece it remains comically insightful behind some solid performances.

Sadly, the great alternative American rock scene rarely gets treated with anything like the same kind of love and knowing as we're given a mixed soundtrack that is laden with too much dirge e.g. Alice In Chains, to add another dimension to the film. Crowe strips down the counter culture anti-corporate approach of the scene and lampoons it, pretty successfully, with Matt Dillons talentless singer. You will learn nothing about the American-alt rock scene, of the time, from this film other than what Rolling Stone magazine's musos thought was cool at the time (the NME pinpointed the best much better).

I can't be too critical of the film because, despite the serious flaws in his musical juxtaposition Crowe finds a warm and sometimes interesting film that's an enjoyable watch.