Absolute Beginners (film)

Infobox_Film
name = Absolute Beginners


caption = Theatrical release poster
director = Julien Temple
writer = Richard Burridge
starring = Eddie O'Connell
Patsy Kensit
David Bowie
James Fox
Ray Davies
Mandy Rice-Davies
Sade
Edward Tudor-Pole
editing = Gerry Hambling
distributor = Goldcrest
released =
runtime = 108 minutes
language = English
country = U.K.
awards =
imdb_id = 0090585
preceded_by =
followed_by =

"Absolute Beginners" is a 1986 rock musical movie adapted from the Colin MacInnes book of the same name about life in late 1950s London. The film was directed by Julien Temple, featured David Bowie and Sade, and a breakout role by Patsy Kensit.

When "Absolute Beginners" was released, it received immense coverage in the British media. At the time, the British film industry was perceived as being on the point of collapse (with the recent failure of the film "Revolution"). However, the movie was panned by critics and became a box office flop. Some of the criticisms included stylistic anachronisms, such as the mini-skirt and decidedly 1980s music from the likes of the Style Council and Sade, the bowdlerisation of Kensit's character (Crepe Suzette had been depicted as a promiscuous negrophile in the book), and the casting of Bowie, who made it a condition of his musical contribution.

"Absolute Beginners" has subsequently gained status as a cult movie, in part due to its soundtrack. Some people compare the movie as the British equivalent of "Streets of Fire", a 1984 American movie that was a retro-stylized rock movie with a notable soundtrack, also a commercial failure.

The commercial failure of "Absolute Beginners" and another film released about the same time, "The Mission", led to the collapse of Goldcrest, a major British film studio.

Plot

It's 1958 and pop culture is transforming from 1950s jazz and early rock to a new generation on the verge of the 1960s. London is post-World War II, but pre-Beatles and the Stones. The storyline incorporates elements of 1958 London racial riots.

Young hip photographer Colin falls in love with aspiring fashion designer Crepe Suzette, but she's only interested in her career. Colin tries to win her affections by taking a crack at the big time himself; meanwhile racial tensions heat up in Colin's neighbourhood of London.

Cast

* Patsy Kensit - Crepe Suzette
* Eddie O'Connell - Colin (the narrator was unnamed in the original novel, and so was given the author's first name for the film)
* David Bowie - Vendice Partners
* James Fox - Henley of Mayfair
* Bruce Payne - Flikker
* Sade Adu - Athene Duncannon
* Ray Davies - Father
* Lionel Blair - Harry Charms
* Steven Berkoff - The Fanatic
* Edward Tudor-Pole - Ed The Ted (credited as Tenpole Tudor)

oundtrack

Infobox Album
Name = Absolute Beginners: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Type = Soundtrack
Artist = Various Artists


Cover size = 0
Released = April 7, 1986
Recorded =
Genre = Acid Jazz, Downtempo, Contemporary Jazz, Pop
Length =
Label = Virgin Records
Producer = Clive Langer & Alan Winstanley
Reviews = * Allmusic Rating|4|5 [http://wm01.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:0nfoxqe5ldfe link]
Chronology =
Last album =
This album =
Next album =

"Absolute Beginners: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" was concurrently released to promote the film. Aside from the plethora of music from contributing artists, the musical score was composed by Gil Evans. David Bowie's title track and the Style Council's songs were released as singles. The LP version (LP Virgin V 2386) omitted tracks 11 to 18 from the CD release.

Track listing
# "Absolute Beginners" — David Bowie - 8:03
# "Killer Blow" — Sade - 4:37
# "Have You Ever Had It Blue?" — Style Council - 5:37
# "Quiet Life" — Ray Davies - 2:56
# "Va Va Voom" — Gil Evans - 3:26
# "That's Motivation" — David Bowie - 4:14
# "Having It All" — Eighth Wonder and Patsy Kensit - 3:08
# "Rodrigo Bay" — Working Week - 3:32
# "Selling Out" — Slim Gaillard - 3:36
# "Riot City" — Jerry Dammers - 8:29
# "Boogie Stop Shuffle" — Gil Evans - 3:00
# "Ted Ain't Ded" — Tenpole Tudor - 2:35
# "Volare" — David Bowie - 3:13
# "Napoli" — Clive Langer - 4:08
# "Little Cat (You've Never Had It So Good)" — Jonas - 2:19
# "Better Get Hit in Yo' Soul" — Gil Evans - 1:49
# "So What?" [Lyric Version] — Smiley Culture - 4:18
# "Absolute Beginners (Refrain)" — Gil Evans - 1:41

References

External links

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