‘Singles,’ and the rest of the films shot in Seattle

2002's "The Ring" is one of many movies shot in Seattle. Check out the rest of the gallery for more.
Associated Press

“Singles” reflects a Seattle moment, those seconds before grunge tipped over, before Microsoft exploded, before the city started getting serious.

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A plane-making timber town at the edge of the empire was about to become something more. For the first time, Seattle was exporting culture.

“Singles” catches some of that. It misses the anger that was grunge – and life for folks who had something more to care about than dating, drinking and music – while capturing the unformed beauty of Seattle and the now-fading sense that the city makes space for creative life.

Movies do that for a place. They capture it, at least a bit of it. Or maybe the setting shapes the scene, forcing itself into the character of a film.

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It’s why “The Parallax View” or “McQ” have special meaning for a Seattle audience. “An Officer and a Gentleman” and “Say Anything” hold up for any viewer, but even a mediocre effort – “10 Things I Hate About You” springs to mind – can land with a hometown crowd.

Check out the gallery above for a look back at films shot in or near Seattle. And give “Singles” a watch. The music shines – especially in a couple concert scenes – and Sheila Kelley has all the fun as Debbie, the video-dating faux cyclist.