Johnny Suede

REVIEW
A preternaturally coifed Pitt stars in this meandering oddity about a down-and-out, would-be rocker set in Manhattan's lower depths. First-time director DiCillo's tale of post-punk nihilism finds its roots in Susan Seidleman's 1982 Smithereens as it follows the insufferably image-conscious Johnny Suede in his vain attempts at relationship, putting together a Rockabilly band and pulling off an armed robbery. These proceedings are precipitated when a pair of suede shoes falls from the sky, providing him the "magical" keys to some unknown subcultural kingdom. Pitt's narcoleptic portrayal of the title character provides most of the amusement in an otherwise static affair.