Susan Seidelman directs Rossana Arquette, Aidan Quinn and Madonna in this 80’s New Wave life swap dramerdy.

Some pop stars find vehicles that blandly feel like extended music videos, and roles that are mere extension of their manufactured image, but Madge, bless her, chose  a smaller but essential role in this covertly feminist art film to cash in on her new found fame. Her “Susan” is the living embodiment of a free, modern, sexually aggressive, unorthodox, fun, consequenceless fantasy life a housewife finds herself taking over. She’s never really chosen quite so well again. And there’s also a crime subplot, sexy men, sidebars involving a rundown magic show. Messy at times? For sure… but its female empowerment message is more enjoyably put forward in a way that worthier movies rarely manage. As a time capsule to mid 80s New York cool it all looks fantastic and an early score by Thomas Newman is a distinctive marvel.

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