Desperately Seeking Susan (1985)

A bored New Jersey suburban housewife's fascination with a kooky character she's read about in the personal columns leads to her being mistaken for the woman herself.

Director:

Susan Seidelman

Writer:

Leora Barish

Stars:

Rosanna Arquette, Madonna, Aidan Quinn

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rosanna Arquette	...	Roberta Glass
Madonna	...	Susan
Aidan Quinn	...	Dez
Mark Blum	...	Gary Glass
Robert Joy	...	Jim
Laurie Metcalf	...	Leslie Glass
Anna Thomson	...	Crystal (as Anna Levine)
Will Patton	...	Wayne Nolan
Peter Maloney	...	Ian
Steven Wright	...	Larry Stillman D.D.S
John Turturro	...	Ray
Anne Carlisle	...	Victoria
José Angel Santana	...	Boutique Owner (as Jose Santana)
Giancarlo Esposito	...	Street Vendor
Richard Hell	...	Bruce Meeker

Storyline

Bored Roberta spots a regular personal ad in the paper titled 'Desperately Seeking Susan'. She heads off to New York, following one of the ads, and finds Susan. When Susan sells her jacket, Roberta - trying to emulate her mystery ad writer - buys the jacket and wears it. Little does she know someone is looking for the jacket - and its owner...

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Plot Keywords:

neo screwball comedy | riches to rags | prince and pauper | rags to riches | impostor | 

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Taglines:

It's a life so outrageous it takes two women to live it.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

M

Did You Know?

Trivia

The producers couldn't get Kevin Costner or Dennis Quaid to read for the role of Dez. With two female leads, some actors didn't want to be third fiddle.

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Goofs

When Susan walks dripping wet from the swimming pool to the poolside chair, her path is already wet from previous takes.

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Quotes

Gary: What are you wearing?
Roberta: A jacket. It used to belong to Jimi Hendrix.
Gary: You bought a used jacket? What are we, poor?

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Alternate Versions

There is an edited version for basic cable and broadcast TV which appeared on the WE channel (and probably other outlets) after September 11, 2001, where several shots of the World Trade Center have been expunged (along with the usual swear words, drug references, etc.)

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Connections

Referenced in Lady Fellatio #2 (2002)

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Soundtracks

Mashed Potato Time
Written by Kal Mann and Bernie Lowe (as Harry Land)
Performed by Dee Dee Sharp
Courtesy of K-Tel International

User Reviews

Rosanna Arquette's best work

It's been almost 20 years and there hasn't been another film like Desperately Seeking Susan. At times, the movie feels like French New Wave with its characters and storyline. Even the setting of the crude but artistic background of New York City, the movie lets off an emotion of fantasy. The cast which includes Rosanna Arquette, Aidan Quinn, John Turturro and Madonna create a story like no other. Madonna is both the eye candy and the punch lines as Arquette gives her best leading lady qualities. It's hard to believe that this movie cost less than 5 million dollars to make. A true coming of age drama with moments of comedy and struggle, Desperately Seeking Susan falls under many genres of film. The independent style and its outrageous subject matter makes this an interesting and timeless film. Even though it is full of 80's moments with the clothing and music, the movie is one of Madonna's and Arquette's best.

Details

Official Sites:

HBOMAX [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 April 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Recherche Susan désespérément

Filming Locations:

Bleecker Street Cinema, 144 Bleecker Street, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,526,098, 31 March 1985

Gross USA:

$27,398,584

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$27,398,584

Company Credits

Production Co:

Orion Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (original release)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1