In 1991, writer-director Tom DiCillolt made his feature film directorial debut with Johnny Suede, featuring a cast of iconoclasts any well-seasoned director of today would covet the chance to work with, including Samuel L. Jackson, Catherine Keener and a very young Brad Pitt. 

In short, the film tells the story of musician Johnny Suede (played by Pitt) “who wants to be a rock n’ roll star like his idol Ricky Nelson”, or as the official tagline puts it: “He’s a heartbreaker… lover… loner… keeping up an image can be a full-time job.”

Following a journey of enlightenment led by a desire for black suede shoes, Suede learns some inevitable life lessons from the characters he meets along the way… and who better to meet on a path of self-discovery and musical exploration than Aussie alt-rock legend and modern prophet, Nick Cave!

With quiffs as high as skyscrapers and cheekbones that could slice bread, Cave and Pitt cut a striking silhouette in slim fit suits as they deliberate the albeit painful inspiration of treacherous origins in the back streets of New York. 

Watch below to see Cave deliver a powerful aCapella number with soaring alleyway reverb. 

Nick Cave & Brad Pitt in Johnny Suede

It wouldn’t be the last time that the Pitt and Cave would find themselves sharing the screen. Pitt’s 2007 epic, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford featured a soundtrack crafted by Cave and his long-term musical partner Warren Ellis, as well as a cameo from the musician who appears as a court singer in a bar towards the end. Check out the soundtrack, here. 

Looking for something to do in lockdown? You can watch the full movie for free on YouTube!       

Johnny Suede

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