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Parents' Guide to

Singles

By Renee Schonfeld, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Classic '90s romcom with great soundtrack; sex, cursing.

Movie PG-13 1992 99 minutes
Singles Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 3 parent reviews

doctora
doctora Parent of 5-year-old
May 31, 2022
age 15+

Stay for the soundtrack...

I rented this film on VHS from Blockbuster shortly about a year after the film was released (as was customary then). The soundtrack is more memorable than the film, but I think that was always the point. Similar to Reality Bites, it is difficult and almost a let-down to pin down "it" culture as it's happening. It's changing and morphing faster than you can commit it to celluloid (now digital). It is entertaining and it serves as a fun look back on all of the artists of yesteryear, circa early 90s grunge.
Michaela C.
Michaela C. Parent of 12 and 15-year-old
November 8, 2023
age 13+

Familiar tales and vibes from Older Gen X should translate to newer Gens

See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

It's 1992, and one picturesque apartment house in Seattle's eclectic Capitol Hill district is the setting for SINGLES. Most of the players live in that building. They're neighbors, they're friends, they're struggling with similar issues and similar obsessions. Notably, almost all of them are clearly hoping to find a relationship that matters. Steve Dunne (Campbell Scott) is driven to improve the Seattle traffic grid. Janet (Bridget Fonda) is in between college and graduate school. Cliff Poncier (Matt Dillon) is on a constant quest for recognition in the local rock community. Linda (Kyra Sedgewick) is an idealistic environmentalist; she doesn't live in the building, but becomes integral to the community as the story progresses. And so, the proverbial "dance" begins. Linda meets Steve; Janet wishes the Cliff she knows could be the Cliff she wants; and the rest of the building's residents and their friends hang on to their dreams and aspirations with all their might.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (1 ):

Romantic, funny, quirky, and infused with the iconic music of Seattle circa 1992, the film will still delight audiences hoping for a nostalgic look back or an almost-contemporary upbeat fairy tale. The acting is superb. Familiar characters take on a fresh glow when Cameron Crowe works his magic and creates an unmistakably relatable story that highlights both the apprehension and joy of being young, hopeful, and struggling all at the same time.

Singles was Crowe's follow-up to the now classic Say Anything. It preceded Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous; all four deserve their imminent standing among movies about becoming a grown-up in a fast-changing world.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the music in Singles. Writer-director Cameron Crowe is noted for his passion for music when telling his stories. How closely connected to the stories are the sounds of the 1992 Seattle music scene? How does the music enrich the premise and the relationships?

  • How does the movie treat sex? Is it casual? Meaningful? Loving? Did sexuality prove to be a bond in one or more of the stories? Which one(s) and how did it impact the relationship(s)?

  • Why was it important to reference "safe sex" in this movie from 1992? Do you think movies can assist in bringing social awareness to our culture?

  • What did Janet learn about her own worth over the course of the film? How did the filmmakers use the breast implants element of the film to affect and show her growing maturity?

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