The Last Time I Committed Suicide (1997)

Neal Cassady is living the beat life during the 1940s, working at The Tire Yard and and philandering around town. However, he has visions of a happy life with kids and a white picket fence.... See full summary »

Director:

Stephen Kay

Writers:

Neal Cassady (letter), Stephen Kay

Stars:

Thomas Jane, Keanu Reeves, Adrien Brody

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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. Greenway (as Christine Rose)
Meadow Sisto	...	Sarah
Amy Smart	...	Jeananne
Alexandra Holden	...	Vicky

Storyline

Neal Cassady is living the beat life during the 1940s, working at The Tire Yard and and philandering around town. However, he has visions of a happy life with kids and a white picket fence. When his girlfriend, Joan, tries to kill herself he gets scared and runs away. But when Joan reappears will he take the chance at that happiness, or will he turn his back on it?

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Plot Keywords:

1940s | picket fence | tire | babysitter | fear | 

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Taglines:

A love story with consequences

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 June 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Elämän harhapolut

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$12,836 (USA) (20 June 1997)

Gross:

$12,836 (USA) (20 June 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bates Entertainment, Kushner-Locke Company, The, Tapestry Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Keanu Reeves gained 35 pounds for his role.

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Goofs

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

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Quotes

Neal Cassady: My role in all this was to make her feel better. Better than what?

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Soundtracks

"Humph"
Written by Thelonious Monk
Performed by Thelonious Monk
Courtesy of Blue Note Records

User Reviews

A superb piece of filmmaking

I am writing this because I am in stark disagreement with a certain editor. This little film shows excellent directing, cinematography and acting. It stands as testimony against, and is infinitely better then, most of the talentless "indie" wastes of time that you'll see in the country's smaller theaters today. Thomas Jane BECOMES a young Neal Cassady, and displays one of the finer performances you'll ever see on film. In fact, the acting is excellent overall (To which the director should be praised). Admittedly, if you are interested in the legend of Neal Cassady this movie is going to be much more interesting to you. Still, even if you are not, it is a fine story of unrequited love, with humor and the spirit of the enjoyment of life. It is a touching period piece, excellently delivered and exceptionally written. The other Cassady-driven movie (unrelated to this cast and crew) - "Heart Beat" (1980) - hits you like a stale yellow lamp on a boring Sunday afternoon by comparison. This film is vivid and beautiful. It is a shame that a film of this caliber is being ignorantly shuffled under the carpet, becoming prematurely harder to fine with each passing day, while the constant deluge of mindlessness produced by the big studios becomes marketed ad nauseam over the course of decades. Stephen T. Kay made the kind of film that inspires filmmakers.

The soundtrack - also becoming harder and harder to find - cannot be beat (It remained untouched from my CD player for months). Personally, I had never been a fan of jazz music before owning it.