The Neal Cassady Experience


The Last Time I Commited Suicide. Starring Thomas Jane, Keanu Reeves and Claire Forlani. Directed and written by Stephen Kay. Produced by Edward Bates and Louise Rosner. A Roxie release. Drama. Rated R for sexuality. Running time: 93 min.
    I found this to be a very entertaining film. I have not seen any film of Neal himself, but the actor playing Neal did a hell of a job as I have imagined Neal. Keanu Reeves was somewhat wooden but not as bad as critics made him out to be. CNN says of Keanu..."Then there's Keanu Reeves. Reeves is an absolute mystery to me, an actor so openly void of talent I wouldn't let him near a senior class performance of "The Egg and I." But here he is again, reciting his lines as if they're non-related words strung together as a memory exercise. He's an actor who begs for a Burger King uniform, but his hunka-hunka burnin' looks will keep him periodically in front of me for the rest of my life ... unless, of course, I outlive him. I'm going to start working out right now, just to make sure." Personally, I thought he did well for the minor part he had. I think people just like attacking pictures on the Beat Generation.
    The films begins in a black and white scene with voice over and a great jazz soundtrack (from geniuses like Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, and Charles Mingus) Great mood setter. From there it has some excellent scenes with one exception, the Allen Ginsberg character was a bit too cliche for my tastes.
     The story is based on a letter that was sent by Neal Cassady to Jack Kerouac in the late 1940s, when Cassady was working at a Goodyear tire factory in Denver. Check it out to learn a bit about a time in Neal's life. Check it out if you just enjoy the letter it is based upon. Check it out just because I said so. You know I wouldn't lie to you. heh heh.
    As I said, I have yet to see any film of Neal himself, but I found the film to be authentic at least as I pictured things to be from the letters and books of the Beats.
    The film did a great job of capturing the spirit of the letter it is based upon. Go forth and rent this mean boy. It will not let you down.
    It is now on video. I know you have a video membership. You obviously have a computer so I am guessing you are pretty plugged in to the 90's technology. 
 

Another film made of Cassady's life was Heart Beat. This 1980 film starred Nick Nolte and Sissy Spaceck as Neal and Carolyn Cassady. It was supposed to be based on an early draft of what later became "Off The Road". I myself have not seen it as I have heard for many sources that is basically sucks. Here is a review by Levi Asher.

Return to Main 
This page hosted by  Get your own Free Home Page
1