Movielogr
Absolute Beginners (1986)
Directed by Julien Temple
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A musical adaptation of Colin MacInnes’ novel about life in late 1950s London. Nineteen-year-old photographer Colin is hopelessly in love with model Crepe Suzette, but her relationships are strictly connected with her progress in the fashion world. So Colin gets involved with a pop promoter and tries to crack the big time. Meanwhile, racial tension is brewing in Colin’s Notting Hill housing estate…
Rated PG-13 | Length 108 minutes
Actors
Eddie O'Connell | Patsy Kensit | James Fox | David Bowie | Ray Davies | Mandy Rice-Davies | Eve Ferret | Tony Hippolyte | Graham Fletcher-Cook | Joseph McKenna | Steven Berkoff | Sade | Edward Tudor-Pole | Bruce Payne | Alan Freeman | Anita Morris | Paul Rhys | Julian Firth | Chris Pitt | Lionel Blair | Gary Beadle | Robbie Coltrane | Jess Conrad | Smiley Culture | Ronald Fraser | Slim Gaillard | Irene Handl | Peter-Hugo Daly | Amanda Jane Powell | Johnny Shannon | Sylvia Syms | Ekow Abban | Robert Austin | Gerry Alexander | Jim Dunk | Johnny Edge | Carmen Ejogo | Paul Fairminer | Hugo First | Pat Hartley | Astley Harvey | Colin Jeavons | Alfred Maron | Zoot Money | Sandie Shaw | Bruno Tonioli | Eric Sykes | Barrie Holland
Viewing History (seen 1 time)
| Date Viewed | Device | Format | Source | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/21/2016 | TV | DVD | Library | 6 stars |
| (Average) 6 stars |
Viewing Notes
Didn’t really know anything about this movie until the recent passing of David Bowie. It was listed in many lists about the films of his that are must-see performances (not that he had a lot to choose from, mind you). To that I can agree as his musical number is the centerpiece of this movie, more so than the grand finale a la West Story Story gang fight slash riot big musical number.
Fascinating movie exploring the race relations in 1950s London even if not entirely effective and a tad too long for its own good. Adore Patsy Kensit here (always had a thing for her) and the Ray Davies number is also quite fun.
In the end this is worth viewing for Bowie’s presence just wish he had a bigger role in this. At least he fills portions of the soundtrack. Great color palette too. Would be a nice one to see projected on the big screen.
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