Johnny Suede (1991)
6/10
Johnny Suede, Likable But Shallow
2 September 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Johnny Suede finds Brad Pitt in a character study of a would be rock and roll superstar who just can't quite get his career off the ground. In a homage to a famous Twilight Zone episode He finds a pair of classy suede shoes that seem to complete the look he keeps trying to obtain. Unfortunately it takes more than just a look and some talent to make a star.

Brad's Johnny is a likable if shallow character. He can't seem to get a career goal in focus and some things beyond his control seem to be defeating him. Nevertheless he persists and even finds some true love in the end in the person of Catherine Keener, though he nearly blows that situation.

That exaggerated pompadour was absolutely unreal, it must have been close to a foot high. It so obviously a wig yet it did seem to match Brad Pitt's natural coloring. He must have gotten a migraine headache just wearing it around.

Johnny Suede is a film made on the cheap. I will say I liked the choice of location shooting in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. Around that time the area was starting to become gentrified. Now some of those loft apartments and reconverted brownstones are starting to match the more swanky sections of Brooklyn if not yet at Manhattan levels.

In the supporting cast I did like Calvin Levels performance as Pitt's best friend and confidante who finally decides to leave him because he's tired of waiting for Pitt's dream band to become reality.

Johnny Suede is not a great film, but it does give full display to Brad Pitt's natural charisma and talent and clearly shows the star he was to become.
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