Madonna is so beautiful in this movie, she really has talent and sex appeal. She was absolutely tight 1985 WAS her year! She blew up!! Thank you for showing us behind the scenes, New York is endlessly fascinating too. One of my favourite destinations, its full of such creativity and artistic inspiration.
Madonna was perfect for this role because she was essentially playing herself!! Wonderful movie. I moved to NYC the next ear in 1986 when it was still chic, hip and cool unlike now.
@Q You missed the critical word, "essentially" in "essentially playing herself." You are being very concrete in your thinking if you understand the concept. Try to understand more of the abstract or nuanced aspect of a common expression.
So cool - thanks for posting. This is SUCH a cute movie! Susan Seidelman made a classic, unique, quirky movie that shows the talents of each actor. She has a new book out and shares some fascinating behind-the-scenes details about making the movie. IMO, Madonna is the big draw, of course, but Laurie Metcalf is HILARIOUS and the others are great and perfect for their roles.
Because in this scene they are at the Egyptian Embassy.. the director didn't want there to be any overtly religious imagery with respect to the scene and with Rosanna' character.. they didn't want her to be like a "Wanna be".. and "Like a Virgin" just came out, so there was a lot of pressure on Madonna. So they didn't want it to be totally "religious". That's why, if you notice, Madonna is wearing the scarf to cover all her necklaces, and the way her hair was pushed forward to cover the earrings. and if you notice the subsequent takes, they had Madonna remove the cross earrings. They didn't to do anything that would appear overly crass with respect the scene. I hope this makes sense.
@@Camille_Anderson most religions are intolerant.. not just islam. And as the movie went on, the director didn't want it to be a Madonna movie, as Madonna made a leap from pop star to icon with the release of Like a Virgin. So her jewelry towards the end made it LESS Susan and more "wanna be Madonna' chic and the "Madonnification" of the movie. For Roberta to start sporting crosses and such like Madonna/Susan started to cross the line.. that was part of the kaffufle with this scene. Then as they were in the editing/marketing phase, they pushed Madonna to write a song for the movie to cash in her rising success. She didn't want to do it, so rather than doing a whole new song, she yanked a song she had already given to another artist and just reworked it.. "Into the Groove". Cheynne (the artist who was going to record it) was pissed and screamed to Jellybean Benitez that she wasn't "going to be the black madonna!" and felt betrayed by Madonna, though it was Madonna's song.
That was such an awkward moment. The director didn’t think the audience would understand why Roseanna’s character is wearing a cross. It’s because her character has become like Madonna’s character so is now wearing Madonna-ish accessories
It sounds like Roberta was Jewish, at least according to Susan Seidelman, she says "You're not supposed to be anything but (unintelligible but saying something like because of these things) it's obvious that you are". Even though it isn't stated in the movie explicitly there might have been little things that pointed to it. Madonna and Roseanna argue that it shouldn't matter what religion they are, but Seidelman is arguing that the audience won't get why she's wearing a cross hence the Jews for Jesus line. Since Susan and Roberta aren't seen trading jewellery, Seidelman felt it would be confusing to the audience. I think that's why Roseanna says the audience doesn't know her character is Jewish so why should it matter.
I can't explain how many times i seen this movie hundreds of times. I was 10 and i even started smoking 2-3 years after to be like Madonna 😮 I've really grown to dislike madonna the past few years but I'll always love this cult movie and Desperately seeking Susan will always have a special place ❤ ty
I remember with what a wild excitement i went to the premiere of the movie-still an elementary school pupil- and my disappointment during the movie as I realised that it was not Madonna but Rosanne Arquete, who played the biggest role. I felt ine Madonna was not even co starring, she had a kind of an extended guest role...
by the way, does anybody know who is the guy following Madonna after filming, he got with her into the dressing van. He also appears of another footage of Madonna on the NY streets promoting the single Borderline. There they also walk tigether.
Fascinating watching this. She was just as incredible then. I could see an intensity and professional quality. It's funny that in contrast Patricia Arquette comes across as lightheaded and a bit vacuous :)
