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Jan 20, 2018biffblack rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
OK, yeah, sure, in the spring of 1985, when I first saw this movie during its theatrical run (at which time the snarky commenters here weren't even born yet), the picture seemed a little thin. Look out for movies that aren't obviously bad, yet seem evanescent -- not quite altogether there: they have an insidious habit of growing richer with the years, fuller and more rewarding with the passage of time. So it goes with the much-maligned yet infinitely true-to-life Desperately Seeking Susan. First, it's a cinematic time capsule of an era in New York culture that has since utterly vanished, which might matter less were it not for.... second, an emotionally fearless leading lady performance by Rosanna Arquette, who makes her suburban hausfrau anguish palpably real. And third, the movie's milieu is so well-observed, satirically, from the sleazy hot-tub salesman hubby (his tacky TV commercial and the pride he takes in it are a hoot) to the rocker dude played by Robert Joy whom Madonna wants to reunite with. Joy was good in another 80s movie, Atlantic City, as a would-be drug dealer in over his head; here. in his brief screen time, he nails the androg 80s rockstar in a way that now seems poignant. "Seeking" has so much to say and share, yet it's also a lot of fun. So what are you waiting for, pilgrim -- a mating call?? And Aidan Quinn was never sexier.