Search - The Last Time I Committed Suicide on DVD

Sarah F. (keanupattinson) from INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Reviewed on 7/8/2009...

I was actually pretty impressed with this movie. Good storyline.

1 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Neal Cassady's Errant and Optimistic Youth.

mirasreviews | McLean, VA USA | 01/20/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

""The Last Time I Committed Suicide" was adapted for the screen by director Stephen Kay from a letter written by Beat icon Neal Cassady to his friend, author Jack Kerouac. In this letter, Cassady recounted his youthful adventures in Denver in 1945-1946. During this time, Cassady supported himself working the graveyard shift for a tire company and spent his days chasing women, "borrowing" cars, and hanging out at the pool hall with an older deadbeat acquaintance named Harry. The film's sights and sounds often mimic Cassady's frenetic personality. His skirt-chasing and petty mischief are set to the sounds of bebop, and the film's cinematography sometimes exhibits a hyperactive nervousness. "The Last Time I Committed Suicide" doesn't seem to have a point...or even a focus. It is simply a dramatization of the events of Neal Cassady's life when he was 18-19 years old. He was no more or less aimless than than he was to become, although he did not yet consider aimlessness to be a vocation in itself. Actor Thomas Jane does a nice job as Cassady, although he appears too old for the part. Keanu Reeves put on some weight for his role, and he is convincing as Neal's vaguely creepy and frequently drunk pool hall buddy Harry. Adrien Brody and Gretchen Mol also contribute interesting supporting performances. This is not a bad movie. But the audience's reaction to this film is going to depend entirely upon their attitude toward -and knowledge of- the real Neal Cassady. "The Last Time I Committed Suicide" is simply a slice of his life. There is no attempt to place Cassady's experiences in any larger context, concrete or abstract. So the film doesn't have general appeal. You either find Cassady interesting or you don't. So I'm recommending "The Last Time I Committed Suicide" to fans of Neal Cassady and students of Beat culture. I doubt that anyone else will have much patience for it."

A Light Shone Down Upon This Movie

nealcassady@juno.com | St. Petersburg, Florida - Final stop on the Keroua | 03/02/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"They said Seinfeld was a show about nothing, and the mainstream reviewers of this movie give this movie a bum rap! Well folks this is it, loud and clear from the heart. This movie bring light to a generation exploring the few things left in this world untarnished, and the curious natural flow which resides in every human. Neal Cassady was more than an influence and a friend to Kerouac. He was an influence on the every person on that Merry Prankster bus careening down the highway to mystical destinations. He was an influence spanning generations, and will remain that in those to come. In this film, Cassady (Thomas Jane) is pouring heart and expirience out to Jack in letter flash-backs, reliving an episode to an friend while revitalising his spirit. Yes it's true that this was all written in one sitting by Cassady on Dec. 17, 1950 during a benzedrine trip. The free spirit doing what it takes to get by, and as a young heart not knowing, though thinking what is best for himself. A tradgedy of sorts, though self-inflicted through earlier decisions. This movie, as with the original letter, is constant benzedrine flash, movie as the Beats did, in a scatter of emotions and crazy sites. Nothing like something that can get a spark glowing in the restless empty soul searching for release."

Thomas Jane at his best

Jennifer Bilbrey | 05/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I watched this video because I like the works of Thomas Jane. I was not disappointed. You really have to enjoy Jane in order to enjoy this movie because it can be odd at times and slow moving. Keanu Reeves gives a very nice performance here too. There is a lot of making out and a vague nude scene (photographed in such a way it is not real distinctive, thank goodness), so not recommended for young audiences. I really enjoyed all performances in this movie."