Before we go any further, I must say that I am a huge fan of Gilmore Girls. I'd review it, but that would be signficantly biased by my extreme love. Therefore, I've undertaken a thought to watch and review movies they mention or movies that star actors from Gilmore Girls (notably, Alexis Bledel and Lauren Graham, but there are others).
That said, on to Desperately Seeking Susan, which is right in all the wrong ways. It's so 80's, which means the costuming is ridiculous (and never mind the interior design). It involves a freaky fridayish amnesia mistaken identity plot, which I would say is overdone, but it probably wasn't back then. It includes some prositutution, a magic act, and a side helping of adultery. Plus, if all that weren't enough, they throw in an early Madonna.
The premise of the movie is that bored housewife Roberta reads the personals to put a little spice in her life. Her rich but unfaithful husband is amused but not particularly worried. We get the hint, in the beginning of the movie, that Roberta used to be something of a power woman, but now she spends her time watching Julia Child videos that show her how to cook dinner for her sleazy hot-tub salesman husband. One day, Roberta sees an ad from James, who is "Desperately Seeking Susan." She's familiar with these; supposedly this couple travels the US and gets in touch with each other via personals. Robert decides to see this Susan for her own eyes, and hilarity ensues.
The Good: Madonna, a ganster, and the hot guy who runs the film projector. Plus, Jackie from Roseanne is in this movie, and it's fun to recognize people in bit parts who later went on to do something worth being recognized for.
The Bad: the costumes! Also, the amnesia thing is contrived and weird, even in this movie. For a central part of the plot, you'd think they could find something a little better. Still, when she gets hit in the head and her purse rolls slowly off the dock, I bet you'll hold your breath too.
Overall: I'd netflix it again, but I'm not sure if I'd buy it. It would have some great kitsch value at an 80's nostalgia party or when you've watched it enough times to dub in your own dialogue.
Rating: 8.1/10 (good enough to eek out the borderline B-)