starring Rosanna Arquette, Madonna, Aidan Quinn, Mark Blum
directed by Susan Seidelman
104 minutes
Suburban housewife Roberta Glass (Rosanna Arquette) obsesses over personal ads, in particular ones that involve someone named Susan (Madonna). Roberta attempts to figure out who Susan is. She tails Susan to a consignemnt store and buys a jacket that Susan exchanges for a pair of boots. Both woman are unaware but Susan left a key in the pocket of the jacket.
Roberta tries to get in contact with Susan, in the hopes of returning the key. Things don't work out as planned. Susan gets arrested just before they are supposed to meet. Wayne, a mob connected man who is on a mission to get back something that and that Susan took, and Dez (Aidan Quinn), a friend of Susan's current boyfriend, both spot Roberta wearing Susan's jacket and mistake her for Susan. Roberta, thanks to a blow to her head while she is trying to get away from Wayne, temporarily loses her memory.
Dez helps Roberta in the belief that he is helping Susan. Wayne continues to pursue Roberta, still unaware that she is not Susan. The real Susan, gets out of jail and starts looking for the woman who contacted her through the personals. Gary Glass (Mark Blum), Roberta's husband, looks for his missing wife with some help from his sister Leslie and her current boyfriend.
Roberta gets a job as a job assisting a stage magician. Everything eventually comes together at the magic club where she works.
Thoughts
The basic structure of this movie has an old Hollywood feel to it but on the surface it looks and feels very much like a 1980s film.
This was a fun movie to watch. I wouldn't say it was great or even really good. There are some inconsistencies and things that must have been happening in the background that never get explained.
Notes
Rosanna Arquette has been in two other films I have seen Pulp Fiction (1994) and The Whole Nine Yards (2000) but she was not the star of either film.
This was Madonna's first big role in a feature length movie. I have also seen her Dick Tracy (1990), A League of Their Own (1992), and Body of Evidence (1992).
Aidan Quinn has been in a couple other films I have seen, Stakeout (1987) and Legends of the Fall (1994).
Mark Blum is a face I know but I wasn't sure what his name was until I looked him up. He has been in Crocodile Dundee (1986) and Miami Rhapsody (1995) and made guest appearances on a few TV shows I have watched.
There are a lot of people playing supporting roles and other bit parts in this movie who went on to become well known or that I recognized from other things I have seen.
Laurie Metcalf played Leslie Glass. This is one of her first screen credits. I've seen her in quite a few other things including Lady Bird (2017), Horace and Pete (2016). and Internal Affairs (1990).
Anna Thomson played the magician's assistant that Roberta replaces. I've seen her in a few other movies including The Crow (1994), True Romance (1993), and Unforgiven (1992).
Will Patton played Wayne Nolan the mob guy who was trying to find Susan. He has been in a number of things I have seen including No Way Out (1987) and Remember the Titans (2000).
John Turturro played Ray, the emcee at the magic club. He has been in too many things that I have seen to name them all but that list includes The Batman (2022), He Got Game (1998), Miller's Crossing (1990), and Do the Right Thing (1989).
Giancarlo Esposito played the part of an unnamed street vendor. Most recently I have seen him in Better Call Saul but he has also been in lots of movies I have seen including Do the Right Thing (1989).
There are a couple movies referenced in this movie. I have not seen either of them but I am curious and might seek them out at some point in the future.
- Pattern for Plunder (1963) original title Operation Mermaid
- Shaolin Chastity Kung Fu (1981)
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