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Absolute Beginners (1986)
Director: Julien Temple
Cast: Eddie O'Connell, Patsy Kensit, James Fox, David Bowie
Runtime108 min
Rating15
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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...
Critical Reception & Ratings
Absolute Beginners, a 1986 musical drama directed by Julien Temple, received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its stylish visuals and musical numbers while others found the plot overly melodramatic. The film was not a commercial success but has since gained a cult following, with an IMDb rating of 6.5/10 and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 38%.
Why you might like this:
Absolute Beginners (1986), directed by Julien Temple, is a visually stunning and musically captivating exploration of youth culture and racial tensions in 1950s London. Featuring standout performances from Eddie O'Connell and David Bowie, the film blends drama, romance, and a vibrant musical style to create a unique cinematic experience that will particularly appeal to fans of stylish, genre-blending films.
About
Absolute Beginners is a 1986 British musical film adapted from Colin MacInnes' book about life in late 1950s London, directed by Julien Temple. The film stars Eddie O' Connell, Patsy Kensit, James Fox, Edward Tudor-Pole, Anita Morris, and David Bowie, with featured appearances by Sade Adu, Ray Davies, and Steven Berkoff. It was screened out of competition at the 1986 Cannes Film Festival. It received coverage in the British media but was panned by critics and became a box office failure, although modern reviews have been more favourable. Bowie's theme song was very popular in the UK, spending nine weeks on the charts and peaking at number two. The commercial failure of Absolute Beginners and two other films is blamed for the collapse of British film studio Goldcrest Films and for Virgin Films withdrawing from production.
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