Johnny Suede (1992)

Such a frustrating disappointment

As Good As It Gets

Absolutely Fantastic

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

JOHNNY SUEDE is a very early role for Brad Pitt (he had just finished THELMA AND LOUSIE). yet he delivers a surprisingly nuanced performance as a clueless and childlike hipster. Many films of this nature boast a character who is in love with his own hipness, and delights in educating his contemporaries to this fact. Nothing can be farther from this than Pitt's take on Johnny. His reading of the character is so hesitant and tentative, as to be almost "challenged". Catherine Keener's character (who is introduced much too late in the film) becomes the driving force in the film, and attempts to show this carefully coiffed dandy what it might mean to be a man. A proper release of the film was held up because backers weren't sure his performance would connect with fans who were expecting a more polished Hollywood Heart Throb. Quirky and Mind-bending indeed. Excellent Commentary by Tom DiCillo.

Definitely my favorite Brad Pitt movie, very cool. This film has a great humour all of its own that bounces against the bleak environment. Was good to see Nick Cave's cameo here, he is cool too. I very much appreciated the whole thing with the relationships with the first girl who soon dumps him and Yvonne who is now offering everything but unfortunately he has been scared. This film truly is a cross between Eraserfead and James Dean if you ask me, it has that Lynchian quality to it. This film got me laughing out loud which was great. Some good music in here too, timeless good music. this is a very entertaining film, it has the right tempo to keep you watching.

Firstly can I just say that the acting in this film is dire, even Keener and Pitt act like planks of wood on screen. There is no feeling between the characters and they have a habit of standing completely still on the spot and it just looks uncomfortable. The synopsis is misleading as there isn't much music in the film but there is a startling cameo from Nick Cave, obviously under the influence whilst filming! There is even a parody of a Cave song, that Pitt sings later in the film. The original stage performance of this must have been a sight! A very thin looking Samuel L Jackson has a small role as a double bass player named 'Be Bop' who later goes to work on a cruise ship - his 2 minutes are priceless. The film is dotted with David Lynch inspired dream sequences which include windows smashing, naked men at bars and copious bleeding. The film even opens with a suitcase falling on a telephone box, opening to reveal a pair of suede shoes. Seeing really is believing, go and watch this film!

Tom Dicillo, after Living in Oblivion and Box of Moonlight, has proved himself to be one of the best writers and directors in the business. This, his feature film debut as director, is a nice tale which is solid entertainment but not as good as his later films.Brad Pitt looks a bit too pretty throughout the film (watch Living in Oblivion, the James LeGros character is a parody of Pitt) but there is a good supporting cast, and the film has some very good moments. Definitely worth watching. 7 out of 10