6.5 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Bored New Jersey housewife Roberta fills her days by reading the personals ads and following an ongoing romance between "Jim" and "Susan", a mysterious drifter who appears to lead the kind of free-spirited life about which Roberta can only dream. And dream she does, until the day she actually shows up at the couple's pre-arranged rendezvous in New York City ... and after a bump on the head, a bout of amnesia turns Roberta into Susan and opens the door to intrigue, laughter and love.
Starring: Rosanna Arquette, Madonna, Aidan Quinn, Mark Blum, Robert JoyComedy | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.84:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 16-bit)
English SDH
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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