Desperately Seeking Susan
Runtime 104 min
English
Directed by Susan Seidelman
Released 03/31/1985
On topic we talked about in class sometimes was to look at films in other ways. For this film I think a good topic would be to see the film in the perspective of a feminist. The film's plot is that there are two women, each with a different life style. The main character seems to be bored with her life, and cheating husband and decides to go looking for this girl Susan because of love for her posted in the personals page of a news paper. without giving to much away, The main character goes through a transformation, and realizes she's happier doing what she wants, with people she likes. It's really a story of a woman becoming free.
Roger Ebert's review of the film was very short. He gave it only three stars and stated that the film was "so unpredictable that is a way it's predictable" Sounds confusing But I know what he means. Basically he means that the film has a lot of flip flop of characters like the main character turns into the Madonna character, and every buddy is confused who is who. That's unpredictable, but as time goes on they keep repeating the gag, making it predictable. I do not think he enjoyed the film, But he did praise, the actors, Arquette, and Madonna for a great job. (Ebert).
Susan Kings report on Seidelman's recall of the film talked briefly about making the film and characters. She discusses how the story took place in New York and at the time Madonna was not as big as today, so filming was easy. After the film her album Like A Virgin became huge so timing was perfect. Also they talked about the punk (80's style) portrayed in the film, and how it's a complete spin from what Arquette's character is used to being from a suburban family. (King).
King's article talks about the opposites of the character's lifestyles. In the film It is a drastic difference. Madonna is a drifter dressed in the crazy style s of the 80s, While her opposite played by Arquette is boring, and her life seems dull as well. It was interesting to see how they get all mixed up and Arquette becomes a new women. For Ebert he didn't really say anything much, which is shocking. I do think he is right about the characters, they are brilliant. They know how to act, and how to show emotion and this makes the movie flow nicely. His unpredictable quote is understandable, I have seen so many movies that I was expecting things to happen like them getting mixed up together. But I was interested when the film did surprise you with the girl getting amnesia and so on.
In conclusion I thought the film was interesting with its use of character, just like Ebert and King said. To me three things made this film work. One, Its young Madonna she acted great, and is very attractive. Two the characters on the hole were fantastic, and really gave the story an edge. And finally three If you're a fan of the 80's you have to dig the style, the movie in some ways is outdated however the 80's is a very popular decade that I too find very intriguing. One more aspect about the main story, I liked a lot how the main character had a metamorphoses from a boring housewife, to a wild girl about town. i thought it was a great ending, and the plot came to a good conclusion. If you a fan of the 80's get some popcorn and get ready to go back in time.
Ebert, Roger. Desperately Seeking Susan. Rogerebert.com. 03/29/1985.
King, Susan. Los Angeles Film Festival: Susan Seidelman recalls making 'Desperately Seeking Susan'. Los Angeles Times. June 19, 2010.
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