MovieChat Forums > This Must Be the Place (2011) Discussion > Cheyenne looks like Robert Smith (The Cu...

Cheyenne looks like Robert Smith (The Cure)

posted 13 years ago by FrouFrouFoxes
33 replies | jump to latest

I've only seen the trailers thus far, but it seems Cheyenne's look (Sean Penn's character) is inspired by Robert Smith of The Cure (?).

What about his demeanor? Robert Smith is a very sensitive, shy, reserved person, but also romantic/tragic & a bit wry at times. The character seems to come off the same way in the trailers. Of course, Smith is British & not a Nazi hunter :D.

The name "Cheyenne" also immediately reminds me of singer Siouxsie Sioux (of the 80s band Siouxie and the Banshees), who was a part of the same scene as The Cure. Is Cheyenne an aging rock star from an 80s goth band in the film? Or is he more post-punk or glam-rock?

[–] ZioScrooge 13 years ago

I think he looks more like Edward Scissorhands.

[–] dagonseve 12 years ago

...who was most likely inspired by Robert Smith's look as well. At least in the hair style, for sure.

[–] romadiva 12 years ago

You're not alone, I thought that this a movie about The Cure because of the Penn pic before i read the synopsis

[–] Cheeba_the_Hutt 12 years ago

Yeah I thought this was a Cure biopic aswell from the intital images... I'm sure his style was inspired by Robert even if they deny it. The similarities are too vast! Both looks and personality...

"A dude, a lady, and a cop? That's like a massacre man!"

[–] jimseville 12 years ago

Wait until you see the movie.
The look: Smith, yes.
But the slowmindedness of the character: Ozzy.
:)

[–] jogocar 11 years ago

That's my thought exactly, er....almost. Penn's character is Robert Smith meets Ozzy Osborne meets Edward Scissorhands.

[–] turnerphotography 11 years ago

I just finished the movie, and while agree that Cheyenne is slow-minded inasmuch as he's very halting and is not quick to reply to conversation, when he does speak, his words are quite crafted and I think he's far far more clever than his persona lets on. Witness the ping-pong match...listen to him talking to the daughter of his antagonist. Just his interaction with the tattoo artist--it's a brief scene but quite deep. He's incredibly Socratic throughout the film except when he talks with David Byrne, when he rages and is so very honest and open. I think he's the weirdo-genius who is so very in tune with his place and how others view him.

[–] Alpinia 12 years ago

Just saw the image of Penn on the IMDB frontpage and the main reason I clicked on it was that I thought "Are they making a Robert Smith biopic?"

[–] MrMcArony 12 years ago

Well spotted knowitallgrrrl, the director (and writer) based the character on Smith (who also wears his make up off stage) and adapted Siouxie and the Banshees to Cheyanne and the Fellows .....

[–] xxzalexx 12 years ago

And let's not forget Mr. Smith also is known to dislike flying.

[–] JohnFK 12 years ago

Let's not forget the usage of the name Smith in the film.

[–] CharlieHearse 12 years ago

more like the love child of C.C. Deville a black wig

[–] reena_storm 12 years ago

Also the usage of the name Mary, which is the name of Robert Smith's wife :)

[–] keenanllison 8 years ago

Not to mention that Lol Tolhurst used to be in the band.....and when I saw Sean Penn basically in drag, I was like "LOL"!

[–] Headspin2011 12 years ago

Same as you I thought, 'Robert Smith for sure.' Maybe Penn is a Cure fan?

Didn't think of Siouxie but I think you might have something there too.

Looking forward to seeing this just because I'm a fan of Penn's work.