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      Absolute Beginners

      1986, Musical/Romance, 1h 47m

      10 Reviews 2,500+ Ratings

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      Absolute Beginners  Photos

      Absolute Beginners (1986) Absolute Beginners (1986) Absolute Beginners (1986) Absolute Beginners (1986) Absolute Beginners (1986) Absolute Beginners (1986)

      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.

      • Rating: PG-13

      • Genre: Musical, Romance

      • Original Language: English

      • Director: Julien Temple

      • Producer: Chris Brown, Stephen Woolley

      • Writer: Richard Burridge, Terry Johnson, Colin MacInnes, Don MacPherson

      • Release Date (Theaters):  original

      • Release Date (DVD):

      • Box Office (Gross USA): $278.9K

      • Runtime:

      • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Home Box Office (HBO) [us]

      • Production Co: Goldcrest Films International

      • Sound Mix: Dolby, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Surround

      • Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Scope (2.35:1)

      Cast & Crew

      Eddie O'Connell
      David Bowie
      James Fox
      Ray Davies
      Anita Morris
      Lionel Blair
      Sade
      Al Clark
      Robert Devereux
      Nik Powell
      David Bowie
      Ray Davies
      Gil Evans
      Oliver Stapleton
      Richard Bedford
      John Beard
      Stuart Rose
      Sue Blane

      Critic Reviews for Absolute Beginners

      Audience Reviews for Absolute Beginners

      • 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.

        Super Reviewer
      • 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).

        Super Reviewer
      • 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.

        Super Reviewer
      • 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.

        Super Reviewer

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