Johnny Suede – DVD Review

Available at Amazon.com

Anchor Bay Entertainment / 1991 / 97 Minutes. Rated R for language and sexual content.
Street Date: January 15, 2008
List Price: $19.98

Written & Directed By: Tom DiCillo

Cast:

Brad Pitt……….Johnny Suede
Catherine Keener……….Yvonne
Calvin Levels……….Deke
Nick Cave……….Freak Storm
Alison Moir……….Darlette
Samuel L. Jackson……….B-Bop

The Film:

It was the early 90’s. Ridley Scott’s latest film, Thelma & Louise had just wrapped and a young, relatively unknown Brad Pitt was ready for another job. At the same time first time director, Tom DiCillo, was desperately looking for a leading man. Fate brought them together and they made this wonderfully strange little film.

Johnny Suede (Pitt) is a struggling musician with a childlike innocence, a pompadour to kill all pompadours and a fondness for Ricky Nelson. Along with his friend Deke (Levels) they struggle to keep their band together and Suede struggles with the opposite sex. First he dates the beautiful yet strange Darlette (Moir) who refuses to break up with her abusive photographer boyfriend and ultimately chooses him over Suede. Later he meets Yvonne (Keener), saving her from a perverted dwarf. She isn’t really his type, but she’s nice. Their relationship is rocky from the start and Suede must decide if it’s worth fighting for.

Reading back over the above paragraphs it seems rather strange. Despite the fact that these are the events of the film, they aren’t really what the film is about. That is even harder to describe. Cause while the film isn’t necessarily about nothing, it kind of feels that way. There really isn’t any plot that carries throughout, it just kind of meanders through the events and makes you laugh and gets you to the next moment.

It is most certainly the little moments that make this film memorable. And in those moments you have a few minor characters worth mentioning. First and for most is cult music legend Nick Cave as Freak Storm. Freak is kind of an older, stranger, albino looking version of Suede. He imparts his wisdom to Suede, most of it bad, then he feeds him some chicken that makes him deathly ill. Also making a cameo appearance in this film is Sam Jackson as the band’s bass player, B-Bop.

What really holds this film all together, though, is Brad Pitt’s performance. This was his first starring role, and while it’s a strange one indeed, it is still very easy to see why he became the star that he is. Any lesser and actor would not have been able to make the wholly unbelievable character work. He has such an innocent naiveté about everything that you both pity him and root for him to succeed.

Johnny Suede is a very typical early 90’s indie film. It’s funny, quirky, strange and very slow-paced. It’s not going to appeal to everyone but those who do like it will like it a lot.

The DVD:

This film is presented in 1.85:1 widescreen. Sound is in Mono.

Extras:

Audio Commentary with director Tom DiCillo: This is a really good commentary. DiCillo is a very well spoken individual and he takes the listener on a very in-depth journey through the process of getting this independent film made in the early 90’s. While many things have changed in the industry since then, much of what he says still rings true and any young filmmaker could learn a lot from this.

Trailer

The Inside Pulse
This is a funny, quirky little film that is very enjoyable. It’s also great to look back and see Brad Pitt in his first starring role. Some might find this film a little too strange but it’s definitely worth giving the time of day.