The Last Time I Committed Suicide (1997)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Stephen T. Kay

Writers:

Neal Cassady (letter)
Stephen T. Kay (writer)

Release Date:

20 June 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Tagline:

Life is what happens when you're busy making plans

Plot:

Neal Cassady is living the beat life during the 1940s, working at The Tire Yard and and philandering around town...

Plot Keywords:

1940s | Neal Cassady | Picket Fence | Tire | Football

Cast

Thomas Jane	...	Neal Cassady
Keanu Reeves	...	Harry
Adrien Brody	...	Ben
John Doe	...	Lewis
Claire Forlani	...	Joan
Jim Haynie	...	Jerry
Marg Helgenberger	...	Lizzy
Lucinda Jenney	...	Rosie Trickle
Gretchen Mol	...	Mary Greenway
Pat McNamara	...	Father Fletcher
Kate Williamson	...	Nurse Waring
Cristine Rose	...	Mrs. Greenaway (as Christine Rose)
Meadow Sisto	...	Sarah
Amy Smart	...	Jeananne
Alexandra Holden	...	Vicky

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality.

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color | Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:M | Spain:13 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Bates Entertainment

Trivia:

The film is based on a letter written by Cassady to Jack Kerouac in 1950.

Goofs:

Factual errors: The epilogue notes that Neal Cassady died in 1968 at the age of 42. In actuality, he died four days before his 42nd birthday.

Quotes:

Neal Cassady: One startled look and I knew, I was right back where I'd started.

Soundtrack:

Humph

All-around excellence in acting, writing, and direction!

This film is a perfect evocation of Neal Cassady, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and the times that they lived in. It is the way they and other members of the Beat Generation lived. The script by Stephen Kay is based on a letter that Neal Cassady wrote to Allen Ginsberg about an adventure he had with a girl called Cherry Mary. Thomas Jane gives an outstanding performance as Neal, and Gretchen Mol is a scene-stealer as Cherry Mary. The cast is rounded out with strong supporting turns by Claire Forlani, Keanu Reeves (surprise, surprise!), and Adrien Brody. The direction, soundtrack, costumes, and cinematography all conspire to put you back in time. Stephen Kay is an assured director with just the right touch.