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Tom DiCillo Recalls Johnny Suede
(Page 2)
He did his audition without me saying a word to him. And without me saying a word to him he understood that beneath his posturing exterior Johnny was really a lost soul—someone who literally had no idea who he was. This lead Brad to a brave acting choice; to bring a hesitant vulnerability to the character—something no one else had been able to do, even with my prompting.
When he walked out I knew I had my lead. However the producers were not so convinced. They said, “This kid’s a nobody. We’re not letting you cast him.” The absurdity of this comment might be better understood if you keep in mind the entire budget of the film was under $500,000.
The producers made me meet another actor; a real “star.” The Star would not come in to audition. He did however agree to “meet me in character.” Seconds after that meeting started I knew this “character” was one I was never, ever going to cast.
The producers were not happy with my position. So, on Friday, we parted company. On Monday I had a new deal with a Swiss producer, Ruth Waldburger, who looked at Brad’s audition tape and agreed with my assessment of his potential. Ruth also agreed to handle the lawsuit so instantly and generously provided to us by the Friday producers.
While at the Highland Gardens I encountered another actor who made an impression on me. Catherine Keener came in to audition for the part of Yvonne, Johnny’s girlfriend. I have sometimes compared her audition to someone driving a golfball into a very small cinderblock room. The ensuing ricochets unnerved me so much, I didn’t realize she was exactly what the part needed. We were all set to make an offer to another actress in the morning. In the middle of the night I got out of bed, knocked on the wall and yelled quietly to Marcia, “We’re casting Catherine Keener as Yvonne!”
We shot the film in 30 days in New York City in November and December of 1990. I remember this because at one point I looked up and Brad and Catherine were in my apartment, eating Thanksgiving dinner. The shoot was for the most part a nightmare. Some great things happened, of course. But for my first film it seemed the avalanche of disasters was just a little too relentless to be entirely enjoyable.
In the second week of filming the fire department wouldn’t let us back into the building we’d meticulously painted and propped for Johnny’s apartment. Over the weekend the entire building (already on the verge of demolition) had settled five feet to the left and it was now deemed unsafe for occupancy—let alone something as idiotic as filmmaking. We had to finish shooting in another apartment and to this day I’m amazed no one has ever remarked upon the obvious and strangely changing apartment interiors as the film progresses.
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COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT 
- Comment by Vivian Stamps on 2/08/08 at 9:24 pm
Brad was wonderful as Johnny Suede. Smile! How is that for loyalty? I love him because I see someone beautiful inside and out.
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