Johnny Suede was my first film. It was based on a series of monologues I’d written for a character I’d created in an acting class.
In 1986 I gathered the monologues into a 1-man show and performed it in a tiny theatre Way-Off-Off-Broadway. The reaction was strong enough to convince me to write the screenplay and start sending it out to anyone I knew with money. Four years later I was directing the film with Brad Pitt as Johnny and Catherine Keener as his girlfriend, Yvonne. Or as Brad called her, “Yavonne.”
The film is essentially a tragi-comic meandering through the uncharted swamps of the male psyche. I think it is some of Brad’s best work. It was also my first experience working with Catherine and the trip was riveting enough for me to come back for more.
The film won Best Picture at the 1990 Locarno Film Festival. It was bought there by Miramax but not released until over a year later in order to “capitalize on Pitt’s ascending stardom.” It was my first film at Sundance. No one seemed to know what to make of the film. And when it was finally released critical reaction was pretty much the same. Vincent Canby, writing in the NY Times said, “There is something going on in this film; maybe someone can tell me what it is.”
I almost wondered for a moment if that wasn’t his job.
Just before the film opened Miramax head Harvey Weinstein called at midnight to read the review to me, “I’m sorry, Tom,” he said, and I believe he was. But, the film played a week in NYC and then was gone. It did much better in Europe, especially the UK. I think they understood the whacked out humor of it more.
I wrote the songs Johnny sings in the film. Brad sings them all. Nick Cave sings one I wrote called “Mamma’s Boy.” The song was essentially written to be rather dumb. Nick felt it was apparently too dumb and offered to rewrite the lyrics. He sent me a cassette tape of him singing the new lyrics. I sincerely wish I knew where that cassette is now. Halfway through he stops singing and says, “You know, Tom. I think my lyrics are even more stupid than yours.” And he ended up singing the song as I wrote it.
wow, I just found an alternate trailer at Youtube for Johnny Suede. The movie trailer voice of my generation – just learned his name, it’s Doug Paul – see if you don’t remember it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gORdjhLhA0
This is a test
I’ve finally watched Johnny Suede after wanting to see it since I was fifteen (that was 22 years ago), back then purely because Nick Cave is in it, I was a huge Nick Cave fan in my teens. It has proved a very elusive film. Hard luck finding it anywhere in the little small town in northern Europe where I lived then. I did once find it in a film shop that specialised in more alternative films, but it was a special import and very expensive, far too much for my pocket money. Then when I was in Australia in my early twenties I saw a poster advertising a screening of Johnny Suede, we tried to go and see it but got lost and never found the cinema. Then about a year ago I found the dvd in a charity shop on my way home from picking up my daughter from school, it was only £1 but I had very little money and needed to buy food, I could spare even £1 on something aa trivial as a dvd. But I decided to come back and have a look for it at the end of the week when I would have more money. To my disappointment it was gone and I left the shop in gloom. Then a few months ago I suddenly came across it again in a charity shop just next to our house (possibly even the very same dvd I misses out on last time) and this time I had a pound to spare. However, being a single mom, having time to spend 90 minutes doing nothing more productive than staring at a screen is a rare luxury, and thus it lay on a shelf until tonight, when I sat down with a bowl of popcorn and had a well earned treat. I even liked it so much I went and made a cup of tea and then sat down again to watch it, this time with the commentary on (which I really didn’t have time for, stealing from my much needed sleep hours).
Well, I just wanted to say I really liked the film, and this 22 year pursuit if it hasn’t been in vain. I liked the ending, I too don’t like it when things are spelled out too much. I liked the pace of the film as well, but then I’m European, I think we generally have a different pacing in storytelling than Americans? The only thing that bothered me about the film really was when Johnny stalks that woman and she willingly lets him in, it’s hardly plausible that a woman would be enticed to sex with some creep that followed her from the subway, even if he does look like Brad Pitt. Other than that I really liked the film a lot. Thanks!
Hi Tom. I wanted to know what is the name of the song playing when Deek and Johnny are painting the walls right before the “mark those nibs” scene?
Hey Brian, I think the track you’re referring too has a kind of techno bass beat and a distorted, growly vocal. This was a piece of music I wrote and performed for the film. We didn’t have much money for music and we blew most of it on the two Ricky Nelson tracks, plus the Link Wray. So, to save the production some money I did some of the music. I recorded the bass and drums, then did one take on the vocals and that was it. The idea was that it added a bit of uneasiness to the scene.
That’s the one. Loved it. Would love for one day to see a full soundtrack from the film. Hell, I’d even buy single tracks that could be released on iTunes as I’m sure others would as well. Johnny Suede meant a lot to my friends and I growing up. To this day we still use the line “Johnny, the girls legs are getting cold” whenever any one of us is taking too long to get ready. Thanks for making this film.
Johnny Suede is probably my favorite movie of all time. There’s something about the writing and the imagery, and Brad Pitts performance, and the songs.. this movie is forever burned into my psyche. Been watching it since I was 15. I think this movie is just part of who I am now.
Hey Nordel,
You’ve been watching Johnny Suede since you were 15?! I’m amazed to hear that. Thanks for giving it a shot then, and thanks for your words now. It was my first film and even though there are things in it I wish I’d done differently, there is still a lot in it that I am proud of. I agree with you about Brad Pitt’s performance. He took a chance with me and I took one with him. He’d just finished Thelma and Louise but it hadn’t been released yet. There was some buzz about him but my producer told me, “No way you’re casting that guy. He’s a nobody!” I turned my back on the jerk because I knew even then not only was Brad going to be a star but he was the only guy for the role.
I’m thrilled you responded to the film. There is a newer, Director’s Cut that I think is on NetFlix. It’s the version I’m the most proud of.
Thanks for writing. Stay Suede.
Best,
Tom
I believe Brad Pitt owes you a public apology for not crediting you at the 2020 Oscars for helping him get his start.
Hey Liora, I appreciate your comment but I don’t think Brad owes me anything. He was well on his way before I cast him. He’d already been in several films; the most significant being Thelma and Louise. That film hadn’t been released when he auditioned for me so all I can do is give myself a little credit for casting him based solely on my intuition.
But in all fairness, so did Ridley Scott who cast Brad in Thelma and Louise long before I even knew he existed. In my experience Brad was always gracious and generous.
Hey Tom,
I wanted to write and tell you that Johnny Suede is a film that I truly adore and have done so since the mid 90’s. I have it on VHS, Laser Disc, collect the various DVD releases/cuts from around the world and have the orginal movie poster. I’m always amazed, when you’re amazed, by the love fans have of your first film. I have about four films I regard as my absolute favourites and Johnny Suede is one of those.
I wanted to ask if you or someone else may have plans to eventually release a special edition blu-ray? I vaguely recall you talking about it and including deleted scenes etc that have never been seen before. Of course I may have wishfully made this up but thought I’d ask whilst saying thank you for such a wonderful film.