Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Desperately Seeking Susan Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 21, 2014

There was a brief, shining moment in 1985 when the world was comfortable with the idea of Madonna as an actress. It was fleeting but profound. The idea of turning pop singers into movie stars wasn’t new, but Madonna proved to be a special challenge, leaving the producers to hurdle her substantial thespian limitations and keep her locked into “Madonna Mode.” Not really portraying a character, Madonna is playing herself, with the production happy to use her soaring fame and iconic style to sell a weirdly low-key comedy that offers the occasional dip into thrillerdom. She’s perfectly appealing but asked to do very little, remaining in a holding pattern of mischief, boosted by a periodic blip of sexuality, while the rest of the feature moves into position at half-speed. Elevated by director Susan Seidelman’s ability to conjure a sufficient New York City atmosphere, “Desperately Seeking Susan” has its charms and time capsule appeal, making for an easy sit, but never an engrossing one. There are moments when the picture seems acutely aware of its sleepily idiosyncratic ways, and there are times when it feels hopelessly aimless, with no particular direction to a tale of mistaken identity, domestic dissatisfaction, and the demands of a gun-toting maniac.

Roberta (Rosanna Arquette) is a bored, disillusioned homemaker who dreams of a more adventurous, fulfilling life. Using the newspaper personal ads to conjure a sense of charged romance she’s missing with her hot tub salesman husband, Gary (Mark Blum), Roberta picks up on the saga of Susan (Madonna), a broke but sassy vagabond keeping in touch with boyfriend Jim (Robert Joy). Hoping to catch a glimpse of her fixation, Roberta stalks Susan, buying her used clothes and losing herself in the drama of a total stranger, ultimately possessing a bus locker key critical to Susan’s developing paranoia. When a moment of head trauma scrambles her memory, Roberta comes to with the impression that she’s Susan, aided by confusion from Jim’s projectionist pal, Dez (Aidan Quinn). Caught up in a life that’s not hers, Roberta works to decipher the few clues she’s aware of, making her way to a magic nightclub for temporary work, while trying to stay one step ahead of Wayne (Will Patton), an unhinged nut who’s tracking her movements. Back at home, Gary sets out to find his missing wife with help from his sister, Leslie (Laurie Metcalf), soon falling prey to Susan’s charms as she insinuates herself in his life.

“Desperately Seeking Susan” has a fresh, youthful way about it that keeps it humming along when dramatics fail to earn interest. Perhaps this is the Madonna magic in motion, with the star’s iconic style and swagger sparking the picture to life whenever she’s onscreen, creating a personal aura of irresistibility key to understanding Roberta’s patient examination and piecemeal acquisition of Susan’s life. Working with a script by Leora Barish, Seidelman strives to fill the feature with a sense of Susan’s street smarts, following the characters as they bop around town during this period of confusion, with NYC locations not terribly flashy, but colorful and itchy enough to make an impression and lend the movie a personality.

“Desperately Seeking Susan” more fun to watch than follow, with a defined visual flavor that carries the effort, moving beyond Madonna’s external appearance to visit the Magic Club, a dumpy home to throwback sleight of hand, staffed with a nervous MC (John Turturro) and a bored cigarette girl (Ann Magnuson), and Dez’s cavernous loft, decorated with pop art and home to a film print collection. Arquette also contributes a pleasing visual evolution, growing from a Julia Child-studying housewife in shapeless dresses to a Susan replica, adding color and crunch to her appearance to sell the identity crisis.

The plot of “Desperately Seeking Susan” can’t match its visual bounce, employing an uninspired amnesia routine that’s only halfheartedly examined, finding Roberta knocked in and out of her fantasy life too easily, as though even Seidelman didn’t believe in it. Business with the bus locker and Wayne’s menacing presence doesn’t carry much weight as well, trying to add an adrenaline shot of suspense to a detached effort, bringing guns and murder into what should be a peaceful little comedy about the pursuit of identity.

Roberta’s eventual goal to shed her invisibility is a noble story and one that could fill an entire film if need be, generating more of a thematic exclamation point than it currently contains. Arquette isn’t an actress with wonderful range, but she manages to communicate Roberta’s desire to better herself and achieve her dreams, blended well with Madonna’s wily siren’s song of exposed bra-ery and street life shuffling. “Desperately Seeking Susan” isn’t exactly pairing grade-A actresses to make sense of the identity puzzle, but when it simply focuses on Roberta’s concentration and her need to live out her fantasies, the movie finds a comfortable, interesting rhythm. Wayne and his creep-factor obviousness is a completely unnecessary addition.

Desperately Seeking Susan Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.84:1 aspect ratio) presentation has the benefit of color, with pastels and neon hues from the 1980s dominating the palette, but potency looks a little flat and aged, missing snap normally associated with the era. Damage is present, with some scratches and speckling. Grain is present, adding texture to the viewing experience, and fine detail is acceptable with clothing particulars and the flavors of the city. Blacks are consistent and supportive, keeping club interiors and neighborhood encounters open for inspection.

Desperately Seeking Susan Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix keeps remarkably quiet, even with an energetic soundtrack periodically popping up to bring energy to the picture. I had to dial up the volume considerably to reach a normal level of sonic engagement, leaving the track without much punch. Hiss isn't a great concern, and damage points are minimal, leaving adequate clarity for dialogue exchanges. Scoring needs are met, but deep instrumentation isn't here. Street and club atmospherics are pronounced but never overwhelming.

Desperately Seeking Susan Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director Susan Seidelman, executive Barbara Boyle, and producers Midge Sanford and Sarah Pillsbury.

• Alternate Ending (6:27, SD) is more of a trimmed conclusion, following the last shot of the feature for a few more globetrotting beats. A text-based explanation for the deleted finale is offered.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:01, HD) is included.

Desperately Seeking Susan Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Riding the forward momentum of Madonna's musical popularity (at one point, she's in a club dancing to her own song, "Into the Groove" -- keeping that corporate synergy alive), "Desperately Seeking Susan" became a minor hit during the spring of 1985. It's easy to see why, with its sense of time and place so secure, it's hard to deny Seidelman's command of Roberta's journey. Significance is missing from the movie, or at least a deeper feel for dramatic engagement, but "Desperately Seeking Susan" is certainly enjoyable, also isolating the one and only time Madonna made any kind of impact on the big screen.