Rating: Summary: New Wave Meets Suburbia Review: An entertaining tale of a bored housewife in Fort Lee, New Jersey who accidentially gets mixed up in the life of a street smart drifter was one of the biggest hits in the 1980's. Not only a hit, this film marked the major film debut of a then rising star named Madonna, and made here a household name throughout the world.The movie which takes place in New York City circa 1985 revolves around Roberta (Arquette), a disenchanted housewife who is married to the hot tub king of New Jersey. Due to the great amount of free time in her life, Roberta reads the classifieds to follow the movements of Susan (Madonna) who happens to be in the city awaiting the arrival of her boyfriend and his band. The movie which revolves around a theme of amnesia and a museum heist was an excellent starring for Madonna. Although the film was originally a starring vehicle for Arquette and Aidan Quinn, it was Madonna who stoled the film from the very start. Madonna-mania was sweeping the country at the time, and almost every teenage girl wanted to look and act like her. Madonna ,who won the role after using smart marketing methods (the producers wanted to cast Ellen Barkin in the role), gave the film many wonderful touches due to her punk look (dirty blond hair, plastic bracelets, lace gloves) and gave me many memories of growing up in New York during the mid-1980's. To further compliment the film, Madonna's hit single at the time "Into the Groove," became the film's anthem, and even today, the song still sounds as good as it did then. Director Susan Siedelman ("She Devil"; "Cookie"; "Sex & the City") does an excellent job of weaving both script and characters together. Overall this film will appeal to anyone who lived in the Metro New York area during the 1980's, as well as anyone who enjoys the New Wave style of that decade. The DVD features are great and I was happy to see the original ending that was cut out of the film. It was great to see this, and only the great technology of DVD gives consumers many benefits that VHS doesn't. It was great to see the film's theatrical trailer as well, because trailers then look so poorly produced in comparison to the ones today. If you are looking for a modern day classic, then this is the film for you. A true classic in '80's cinema.
Rating: Summary: My, how we've all aged. Review: Back in the mid-Eighties, MTV played the video for Madonna's "Get into the Groove", the hit single from the soundtrack to *Desperately Seeking Susan*, about, oh, 120 freakin' times a day. The video featured so many clips from the film, and the network played the damn video so often, that I certainly never felt the need to see the movie. (Of course, my status as a rocker made seeing a movie starring Madonna prohibitive, anyway.) However, the additions of two decades of physical decay, a pot belly, and a few "distinguished" gray hairs -- in other words, maturity -- has made me appreciate now what I missed back then. Director Susan Seidelman's *Desperately Seeking Susan* is a pretty faultless farce, almost equal to Shakespeare's *Comedy of Errors* (from which it seems to draw its prime inspiration). The plot is impressively complicated: a well-to-do New Jersey housewife (Rosanna Arquette), when not hosting parties for her selfish husband, spends her time following the love affair of "Susan" and her beau in the Personal ads. A series of wildly implausible events culminates in her becoming an amnesiac. She's mistaken for "Susan" by the buddy of Susan's boyfriend, and so she naturally comes to believe that she really IS Susan. Whew! -- did I mention that someone's willing to kill "Susan" for her earrings, which turn out to be genuine Egyptian jewelry of great antiquity? The resolution to all this malarkey is composed like a great farcical fugue, with the plot elements falling lovingly into place (but even so, there's a surprise or two that awaits). Perhaps of even greater interest is the now-nostalgic view of 1980's New York City, which Seidelman renders with exactitude and a surprising amount of real, dirty, pre-Giuliani grit. Madonna fascinates, too: it's almost touching to see her obvious lack of confidence, her tentativeness . . . hell, her eagerness to please. In this movie, she's not even remotely the same person as the middle-aged virago of ego we all know and love today. Finally, the plot's emphasis on Personal ads makes *Desperately Seeking Susan* seem like a quaint antique when viewed in today's age of e-mail. (The movie could not be made today. Susan and her boyfriend would simply have exchanged private e-mails, and Arquette's character would never have known about it.) In other words, it's bound to make aging GenX'ers feel more than a bit melancholy and, well, old. But that's all right. Time may march on, but the movies of our youth remain young at heart.
Rating: Summary: Urban Comedy Classic Review: Considered by many to be Madonna's best film before she did Evita, "Desperately Seeking Susan" is a classic film for anyone interested by the 1980's and its' pop culture. Similar to what "Beverly Hills Cop" did for Los Angeles during that era, "Desperately Seeking Susan" capitulates on the hip and happening lifestyle found in the East Village and most importantly, Madonna. Who knew how big Madonna would become? The essence of the Madonna we loved back when she was a rising star are all here. The dirty blonde hair, plastic bracelets, studded boots, they are all here. Although, the film was supposed to be a starring vehicle for Rosanna Arquette, everyone knows who stole the spotlight. The film also served as an introductory spotlight for many stars who would find their niche here including a pre-"Roseanne" Laurie Metcalf, John Tuturro, Steven Wright, Iris Chacon (she is a big Latin television star who appears briefly on a television in the later half of the movie),Giancarlo Esposito and Aidan Quinn. The score by Thomas Newman is wonderful and memorable, and Madonna again steal the spotlight, this time nusically with her memorable party classic "Into the Groove," played at the night club scene and during the ending credits. Overall, the film captures the essence of life in the city versus that of the suburbs. If anyone wants to know what New York City was before the P.G. (Pre-Guiliani) age, then watch this film. As one of my favorite films of all time, I highly recommend it to all.
Rating: Summary: Urban Comedy Classic Review: Considered by many to be Madonna's best film before she did Evita, "Desperately Seeking Susan" is a classic film for anyone interested by the 1980's and its' pop culture. Similar to what "Beverly Hills Cop" did for Los Angeles during that era, "Desperately Seeking Susan" capitulates on the hip and happening lifestyle found in the East Village and most importantly, Madonna. Who knew how big Madonna would become? The essence of the Madonna we loved back when she was a rising star are all here. The dirty blonde hair, plastic bracelets, studded boots, they are all here. Although, the film was supposed to be a starring vehicle for Rosanna Arquette, everyone knows who stole the spotlight. The film also served as an introductory spotlight for many stars who would find their niche here including a pre-"Roseanne" Laurie Metcalf, John Tuturro, Steven Wright, Iris Chacon (she is a big Latin television star who appears briefly on a television in the later half of the movie),Giancarlo Esposito and Aidan Quinn. The score by Thomas Newman is wonderful and memorable, and Madonna again steal the spotlight, this time nusically with her memorable party classic "Into the Groove," played at the night club scene and during the ending credits. Overall, the film captures the essence of life in the city versus that of the suburbs. If anyone wants to know what New York City was before the P.G. (Pre-Guiliani) age, then watch this film. As one of my favorite films of all time, I highly recommend it to all.
Rating: Summary: MADONNA DID A GREAT JOB PORTRAYING HERSELF Review: CUTE MOVIE,,,, I THINK IT HAD ALOT TO DO WITH ROSANNE ARQUETTE,, BUT MADONNA DID A GREAT JOB PLAYING HER SELF
Rating: Summary: trip out film Review: for me this Film&"Truth Or Dare" are the Only Madonna Films that I would Recommend overall.this Film has a Cool Campy 80's vibe that works.the cool thing about this Film is that Madonna was quite full into Personna&you get a Raw Vibe that works here.Her&Rosanna Arquette have a Good Chemistry during this film.that is something that has usually Hurt Madonna in other films to go with Her just being a So-So Actress at best.but this film works for it's humor&takes on things.the Dvd Version has a lot more to offer especially the ending.
Rating: Summary: Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) Review: Here it is ladies and gentleman, fellow Madonna fans: Madonna's first starring role in a feature film. Desperately Seeking Susan is loaded with fun and games and has become a favorite with most Madonna fans. Roseanna Arquette plays Roberta Glass, a bored New Jersey housewife, who constantly follows the on-going relationship of Jim and Susan. One day, Roberta decides that she would really like to meet Susan, so she places an add in the paper, telling Susan to meet Roberta at Battery Park in New York City. Susan (played by Madonna) shows up, but is arrested because of cab fair. Roberta is being harrassed by some lunatic. After a bump on the head and a bout of amnesia, turns Roberta into Susan. Susan's boyfriend Jim (played by Robert Joy) askes his best friend Dez (played by Aiden Quinn) finds Roberta, but thinks she is Susan. The two become lovers. A movie that is considered to be an instant classic and features the hit single, INTO THE GROOVE, performed by Madonna. It's a film that should not be missed. A life so complicated, it takes two women to live it.
Rating: Summary: Why Did It Do So Well? Review: I have no idea why people keep saying this was Madonna'a best movie (before Evita) I'm not saying it's a bad movie but I liked Who's That Girl A lot better.
Rating: Summary: GREAT MOVIE !!!! Review: I LOVE THIS MOVIE THIS IS A GREAT MOVIE. THIS IS MY FAVORITE MADONNA MOVIE SHE CO-STARS W/ ROSANNA ARQUETTE . I REALLY DID LIKE THIS MOVIE. THIS MOVIE IS ABOUT A MIX UP WHERE ROSANNA ARQUETTE FOLLOWS THIS PERSONAL AD:"DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN"(MADONNA) AND ABOUT A GUY NAMED JIM. (ROBERTA) ROSANNA ARQUETTE THINKS HER NAME IS SUSAN AND IT IS JUST A GREAT BIG MIX-UP BUT AT THE END THINGS FALL INTO PLACE BUT SOME CHANGES ARE MADE BUT THE MOVIE IS GREAT I LOVED IT AND I RECOMMEND ANY MADONNA FAN SHOULD HAVE THIS VIDEO IN THEIR COLLECTION.
Rating: Summary: GREAT MOVIE !!!! Review: I LOVE THIS MOVIE THIS IS A GREAT MOVIE. THIS IS MY FAVORITE MADONNA MOVIE SHE CO-STARS W/ ROSANNA ARQUETTE . I REALLY DID LIKE THIS MOVIE. THIS MOVIE IS ABOUT A MIX UP WHERE ROSANNA ARQUETTE FOLLOWS THIS PERSONAL AD:"DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN"(MADONNA) AND ABOUT A GUY NAMED JIM. (ROBERTA) ROSANNA ARQUETTE THINKS HER NAME IS SUSAN AND IT IS JUST A GREAT BIG MIX-UP BUT AT THE END THINGS FALL INTO PLACE BUT SOME CHANGES ARE MADE BUT THE MOVIE IS GREAT I LOVED IT AND I RECOMMEND ANY MADONNA FAN SHOULD HAVE THIS VIDEO IN THEIR COLLECTION.
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