This is the first film by Tom DiCillo, who, before becoming a director, worked as a cameraman for Jim Jarmusch, so Johnny Suede (Johnny Suede, 1991) was called another-about-Jarmusch-movie. The main role is played by a young Brad Pitt, who in fact is not so young here, the guy is 28 years old. The movie starts with Link Ray’s instrumental, a decent start! Music is one of the undoubted advantages of the film. And it seems that DiCillo wrote the script based on the songs.
Attention! The review contains spoilers revealing the content of the film.
On kinopoisk they write that this is a comedy, because one of the original posters declares smooth comedy. So this is not a comedy at all. The film can be described more as an art house, or as an author’s cinema. Strange and sometimes funny. Such a definition is more appropriate. “Youth Comedy” – but not once. Rather, American Pie is a “youth comedy”, but not Johnny Suede.
My childhood has clean eyes
Johnny, nicknamed Suede, lives in New York, it’s not clear what he wants, goes with the flow, he would be called a hipster now. A retro guy from nowhere in the modern world, where people listen to hip-hop rather than rockabilly ballads. He easily has affairs with girls, they sympathize with him and are even ready to patronize and support. However, one hurts his feelings, and after experiencing such an experience, he himself can hurt the feelings of others.
Music is worthy of attention. This is one of the few films where Ricky Nelson is mentioned and Elvis is ignored. The situation when Darlene asks Johnny to play other music, and he just turns over Ricky’s single, causes a smile. I was playing Teenage Idol, and now Travelin’ Man.
The film begins with this composition by Link Ray from his 1990 album.
Link Wray – Hotel Loneliness
And this is Nick Cave, my favorite singer.
One song was sung by Nick Cave, here he is in the role of the popular musician Freak Storm. All in white and with silver hair, just like Jim Jarmusch in Straight To Hell, and even sings a little. Several songs are performed by Brad Pitt himself, these are musical numbers at the amateur level.
Johnny Suede is a talented guy, but he’s kind of slow. He’s not a hero at all. He cannot or does not want to go to the end. Sometimes it may even be for the best – the story with the gun is proof of that. But now he has assembled a band and started rehearsals, and the musicians are dropping out of the lineup one by one. Either they don’t see him as a purposeful leader, or he’s just unlucky. He wants to be a musician, but he doesn’t quit his job as a painter either, vowing to take it up every time. Well, you don’t want to be a painter, so don’t be one! You infantile narcissist!
Too much sexy!
There are funny moments, for example, about the homeowner who wrote the song. Or about the worship of suede shoes, this gag goes through the movie. There are stupid scenes that could have been avoided, for example, where farting or searching for a clitoris.
There are serious and sad episodes. What to say when they tell you that they love you? Probably “thank you.” I once also found myself in such an awkward situation when they confessed their love to me and I didn’t know what to answer. And he said, “Thank you.”
You can go with the flow like that, it’s easy to treat everything, do whatever you want and hurt those who love you. The movie is still good. Because in Johnny Suede you can recognize yourself and, unlike him, do something, stop being such an asshole. Take responsibility for your actions. Talk less, do more. Johnny is not a bad person, but he is not a good person either. He probably hasn’t decided what to do yet. Of course, his desires are not limited to a pair of fashionable shoes, but do not expect that one day success will also fall right on your head.
