Single Bars, Single Women, which premiered on October 14, 1984, a made-for-television comedy-drama, is a fascinating snapshot of the early 1980s singles scene, exploring the quest for connection, be it casual or committed, within the confines of local nightspots.
Based on the concept from the Dolly Parton song, the film gathers an ensemble cast of actors who would become staples of 80s and 90s television and film, including Tony Danza, Shelley Hack, Christine Lahti, and Mare Winningham.
The film centers around the lives of several characters whose social lives intersect at “Bandini’s,” the local singles bar in their small-town setting.
The central thread follows Frankie (Hack), a recently dumped woman still reeling from her breakup with longtime boyfriend Gabe (Glaser).
Frankie attempts to embrace the “single life,” resulting in a less-than-satisfying one-night stand that forces her to reconsider the superficial nature of the scene.
Meanwhile, a more profound narrative unfolds with Elsie (Lahti), a nearing middle-age teacher who bravely steps into the bar scene hoping to find a genuine connection.
Her journey is a mix of disappointment and self-discovery, including an unexpected connection with Dennis (Danza), a charming but not entirely smooth club regular.
Their dynamic allows the film to delve into the differing expectations and frustrations of single men and women.
The ensemble is rounded out by younger characters like Bootsie (Winningham) and Dee Dee (Kathleen Wilhoite), who philosophize on the nightlife, and the more timid Lionel (Keith Gordon), who struggles to find the courage to talk to women, often relying on his older, working-class brother.
The various storylines depict a world where the search for romance is often fraught with miscommunication, moral confusion, and the inevitable loneliness that accompanies the freedom of the era.
Brett Cullen, Jean Smart and Rick Rossovich round out the supporting cast.
Legacy of Single Bars, Single Women
Single Bars, Single Women is noteworthy primarily as a cultural time capsule of the post-disco, pre-AIDS period of the early 1980s, reflecting the moral and social anxieties surrounding casual dating in a small-town American context.
While the film’s production values and some elements of its script reflect its TV movie origins, it features strong performances from its cast, particularly Lahti, who lends depth to her role as the woman seeking more than a passing fling.
Its legacy lies in its earnest attempt to portray the complexities of “sexual agency” and the difficulty of finding sincere love in an environment often geared towards fleeting encounters.
Single Bars, Single Women (Photo/Carsey-Werner Company)
