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Absolute Beginners Photos
Movie Info
Colin (Eddie O'Connell), an aspiring young British photographer and jazz aficionado, falls for the beautiful Crepe Suzette (Patsy Kensit), a model on the rise. When she leaves him to pursue her dreams of fame, Colin lands under the wing of Vendice Partners (David Bowie), a suave advertising executive, and begins his own climb toward success. As Colin and Suzette get caught up in the promotion of youth culture, they brush up against the era's social issues, including racism.
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Rating: PG-13
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Genre: Musical, Romance
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Original Language: English
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Director: Julien Temple
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Producer: Chris Brown, Stephen Woolley
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Writer: Richard Burridge, Terry Johnson, Colin MacInnes, Don MacPherson
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Release Date (Theaters): original
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Release Date (DVD):
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Box Office (Gross USA): $278.9K
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Runtime:
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Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Home Box Office (HBO) [us]
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Production Co: Goldcrest Films International
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Sound Mix: Dolby, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Surround
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Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Scope (2.35:1)
Cast & Crew

Eddie O'Connell
Colin, Photographer, Narrator

Patsy Kensit-Healy
Suzette

David Bowie
Vendice Partners

James Fox
Henley of Mayfair, Dressmaker to the Queen

Ray Davies
Arthur, Colin's Dad

Eve Ferret
Big Jill

Anita Morris
Dido Lament, Gossip Columnist

Lionel Blair
Harry Charms, Record Producer

Steven Berkoff
The Fanatic

Mandy Rice-Davies
Flora

Sade
Athene Duncannon

Julien Temple
Director

Richard Burridge
Writer

Terry Johnson
Writer

Colin MacInnes
Writer

Don MacPherson
Writer

Al Clark
Executive Producer

Robert Devereux
Executive Producer

Nik Powell
Executive Producer

Chris Brown
Producer

Stephen Woolley
Producer

David Bowie
Original Music

Ray Davies
Original Music

Gil Evans
Original Music

Oliver Stapleton
Cinematographer

Richard Bedford
Film Editing

Susie Figgis
Casting

Mary Selway
Casting

John Beard
Production Design

Stuart Rose
Art Director

Sue Blane
Costume Design
Critic Reviews for Absolute Beginners
Audience Reviews for Absolute Beginners
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Sep 06, 2010
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.
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Feb 23, 2009
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 the fact that it is riddled with cameo's (Sandie Shaw) and musical "numbers" performed by some really great musicians (Bowie, Ray Davies, Sade).
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Nov 10, 2008
Going to be honest and admit I was only watching for David Bowie. Wish I hadn't bothered. He's in it about 15 minutes and it's certainly not a career highlight for him when he is. Very hammy, but so is the rest of it. There is some mildly interesting bits and London looks bright and pretty, but it's a pretty crappy story honestly. The main character is uncharismatic and Patsy Kensit always struck me as a bit cheap, so I guess the money hungry Suzette she plays is good casting. The best part of the movie is when the credits roll and the theme song comes on. Can't believe such a great song got lumped in with this mess. I'd rather watch my David Bowie greatest hits DVD next time.
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Apr 03, 2008
Julien Temple gets an "A" for effort in creating a modern musical recreation of the 1950's British Teen scene. The problem here is that the movie is too dark and risque for the family crowd and too light-hearted and tame for the adult crowd. It catches momentum in its third act, has a star making performance from Tony Hippolyte and Patsy Kensit, a great musical numbers by Bowie, Davies, and Sade, but would have benefited more by sticking closer to the source material of the Notting Hill Riots, instead of turning it into a cartoon.
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