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Eddie O'Connell, Patsy Kensit, David Bowie, James Fox, Ray Davies ... see more see more... , Steven Berkoff , Eve Ferret , Anita Morris , Lionel Blair , Mandy Rice-Davies , Tenpole Tudor , Tony Hippolyte , Chris Pitt , Paul Rhys , Julian Firth , Ronald Fraser , Irene Handl , Sylvia Syms , Peter-Hugo Daly , Johnny Shannon , Amanda Jane Powell , Robbie Coltrane , Robert Austin , Jess Conrad , Graham Fletcher-Cook , Jim Dunk , Alan Freeman , Astley Harvey , Colin Jeavons , Joe McKenna , Bruce Payne , Ekow Abban , Sade , Smiley Culture , Slim Gaillard , Pat Hartley , Gerry Alexander , Gary Beadle , Johnny Edge , Carmen Ejogo , Paul Fairminer , Hugo First , G.B. , Alfred Maron , Sandie Shaw , Bruno Tonioli , Mary Selway , Susie Figgis , Zoot Money

The rise of teen culture in 1950s Britain provides the backdrop for Julien Temple's unconventional rock musical Absolute Beginners. The film centers on Colin, an 18-year-old with a talent for photogra... read more read more...phy and a fondness for the neon nightlife of British jazz clubs. He also is in love with Crepe Suzette, an impulsive, ambitious young beauty who abandons him after attracting the attention of a powerful fashion designer. Depressed and aimless, Colin turns for help to a flashy ad executive (David Bowie) who promises to make him a star photographer. The former lovers take parallel paths to success, capitalizing on the youth mania gripping the nation. The film's nostalgic yet gently satirical look at teen culture is tempered by a recognition of the era's social tension, particularly a disturbing rise in racism. Despite these serious undertones, however, the film tells its story with a colorful vibrancy reminiscent of both MTV and old Hollywood musicals, filled with such show-stopping numbers as a memorable sequence in which Bowie dances on a giant typewriter. Critical reception was mixed, with some hailing the film's spectacular cinematography and ambitious scope, while others found the mixture of tones and style too inconsistent. The film also drew lukewarm response at the box office, with the memorable soundtrack receiving more attention than the film itself. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Flixster Users

33% liked it

3,104 ratings

Critics

86% liked it

7 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 47 min.

Directed by: Julien Temple

Release Date: April 18, 1986

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DVD Release Date: April 15, 2003

Stats: 119 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (119)

  • ajv2688
    January 27, 2011
    ajv2688
    On the box for this movie, a critic says it's a splashy musical or something, but that doesn't mean it's good, so I wondered why they put that on the box. If you ask me this movie is too splashy and doesn't focus on the story enough. Overall, it's okay.
  • RCCLBC
    May 19, 2009
    RCCLBC
    Just re-watched this, having seen it in the theater when it came out and on VHS several years ago.
    Sure it's not a GREAT film...but as musicals go (I generally hate them) this is one that I don't mind.
    Which I'm sure is a testament to the historical aspects of it's story and t... read morehe fact that it is riddled with cameo's (Sandie Shaw) and musical "numbers" performed by some really great musicians (Bowie, Ray Davies, Sade).
  • ironclad1609
    June 11, 2007
    ironclad1609
    Probably a case of "you had to be there". First, in the time this musical is set in, at the edge of the 1960s, and then in the 80s, when this film was made. The songs and story just don't work that well anymore, some parts feel entirely pointless and are hard to refer to. With Da... read morevid Bowie's appearance the movie picks up some speed and takes a rather entertaining turn in the last 30 minutes. Still, nothing to write home about. Only Bowie's title song is really awesome, the rest of the music doesn't really stick with the listener.
  • fb1246710182
    February 20, 2012
    fb1246710182
    I usually like my musicals with a little more plot, but this wasn't bad. Great soundtrack and a there are some really cool scenes -- a 10-minute, completely uncut, continuous music scene, where the camera flows with the main character weaving in and out the city streets, David B... read moreowie dancing on a giant typewriter, and Ray Davies of the Kinks doing a musical number as the lead's father. The themes of racism, fascism, and corporate greed prove to be too heavy to juggle.

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Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy
July 29, 2007
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Though the film is flawed, it's still underrated as an exploration of a crucial era of London's pop culture, and the eccentric cast (including David Bowie) adds a lot of color. Full Review

Ken Hanke
March 18, 2003
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

More interesting for what it attempts than for what it accomplishes.

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Caryn James
May 20, 2003
Caryn James, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
January 1, 2000
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Cole Smithey
October 10, 2005
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

No review available.

Carol Cling
November 7, 2003
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal

No review available.

Brandon Judell
May 28, 2003
Brandon Judell, PopcornQ

No review available.

Philip Martin
December 16, 2002
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

No review available.

Christopher Null
May 5, 2002
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

Click to read the article Full Review

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