Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) Directed by Susan Seidelman. With Rosanna Arquette, Madonna and Aidan Quinn.
Through the decades, Madonna has proven herself to be the queen of reinvention. For someone who changed her image more times than Osama Bin Laden changed address, it is perhaps her appearance in Susan Seidelman’s Desperately Seeking Susan that is closest to being definitive.
Though it is mostly known for Madonna, she’s more of a supporting player in a film that belongs to Rosanna Arquette’s Roberta Glass, a bored-of-it-all young woman who seemingly has it all. As we’re introduced to her, we find that her Manhattan pad is equipped all the modern conveniences, including a live-in husband, whose affection is displayed by a pat on the head before bed – much in the same way you’d treat an obedient dog. So far so dull for Roberta, until she catches sight of Susan (Madonna), which is the catalyst for a tale of mistaken identity, by way of amnesia, an earring and lots of tousled blonde hair.
Despite Arquette’s plucky portrayal, the further it stretches itself, the less interesting it becomes. There’s no attention to pacing, which leads to a severe lack of momentum in a story that never seems to come to life. Indeed, the more it dawdles, it increasingly becomes farcical, all the way up to an abrupt ending that doesn’t take the time to draw any conclusions. I’m not even clear on what the overall message of the film is: dress up like someone else and lose your identity to find true love? Shun the trappings of consumerism in favour of sleeping on floorboards and wearing second-hand clothes?
Part of the casual appeal of Desperately Seeking Susan is the time and place it’s set. Through the rose-tinted haze of 80’s nostalgia, and with Madonna at her most recognisable, Susan Seidelman’s film is held aloft by those with a selective memory. Those who choose to remember it for the elements that make them reminisce. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with that, just don’t try to convince me there’s a halfway decent film hidden beneath the bright-red lipstick and garish accessories. 2/5
Gareth Rhodes Film Reviews 
Desperately Seeking Susan is nowhere near as good as the films it is trying to imitate, but if you get into the groove it is enjoyable. An 80s movie firmly rooted in the 80s.
That’s a great point you make, it is rooted in the 80’s, mostly to its own detriment. I liked the odd moment and a few scraps of cinematography, but on the whole, was underwhelmed.
Point taken..but I’ve loved this movie from being a teen when I saw it ..on…:)
Nostalgia is a powerful thing…it almost made me buy a ZX Sinclair Spectrum, until common sense came to the rescue.
I don’t know what that is.. hahahaha but yeah..I almost bought a ‘new’ Atari game..hahahahaha
ZX Spectrum and Atari are almost the same thing, although Atari has slightly better graphics and sounds cooler.
Madonna what an icon. I’m a sucker for Just Like Prayer and Frozen from ’99 but she really has re-invented herself so many times and made some good pop. Fascinating to see her debut at the MTV Awards in the 80s singing Like A Virgin. Britney Spears and Miley Cryus copied that template to the letter for their own break out moments using sex to sell what were actually in some cases not terrible songs. What are your favourite Madge songs?
My favourites are Borderline, Live to Tell, Lucky Star and Take A Bow.
On the whole, I’ve found her a point of irritation, over inspiration. Can’t fault her for effort, though.
Nice.
Borderline, nice.