Cheap Absolute Beginners (DVD) (Patsy Kensit, Eddie O'Connell, David Bowie) (Julien Temple) Price

Related Products

Customer Reviews of Absolute Beginners

4 stars for the music but 1 for the movie
I've had the soundtrack to this movie for years, the double album no less. It is an absolute masterpiece. The movie is a bit of a let down after finally seeing it. If you think of this movie as a series of interconnecting vignettes it works much better as the plot is very convoluted and meandering.
The final riot seems out of place, but is very effective with our hero caught in the middle of a race riot, running from both the neo-nazis and the angry blacks, having no safe place to go. Jerry Dammer's music during the whole episode is outstanding.
In the end there is some substance with it's strong anti-capitalist message and even more style with the series of music videos, but empty nonetheless.
David Bowie is the class of the field here. Sleek, stylish and somehow menacing.
James Fox is understated and uncaring as the greedy heavy. Everyone else is a step below. Many over-act or just don't have the chops.
There are a number of pretty standard "characters". There's the hip beatnik type with the always-hip sunglasses, the good-natured gay "Oscar Wilde" type with the always-hip sunglasses and the ultra cool black trumpet player (not a sax?) with the always-hip sunglasses. There is also a street urchin type who's lust for money, it turns out, hides a darker side and a good natured, busty, and big boned lesbian pseudo mother type.
All businessmen & women are portrayed as corrupt bungling money-grubbing capitalists, who are intent on turning the hero's poor tenement neighborhood into an ultramodern "white" housing project.
The show business types are fake, toupee wearing liars. Come to think of it, in my limited experience that's not far from the truth.
There's even an old schoolmaster type who seems completely lost (surprise, surprise).
Many of the actors and artists have a problem keeping up with the words during their lip-syncing (though Bowie makes it look effortless). You'd think in a major motion picture there would be more of an effort to make that work.
Of course the real star of the movie is the music and the standouts are Gil Evans, the aforementioned Jerry Dammers and David Bowie. Honorable mentions go to Working Week (Rodrigo Bay doesn't get much airtime but is an exhilarating song) and Style Council reworking their "With Everything to Lose" as "Have You Ever Had It Blue" with added horns and Latin beats (though it seems out of place here). Slim Gaillard's "Selling Out" Clive Langer's "Napoli" Smiley Culture's "So What?" all work wonders with or without the movie.

---

Incredible musical!
I've owned my VHS copy of this movie for many, many years. It is well worn, and I am eagerly awaiting its DVD debut.

Despite what many critics may say, this is an awesome movie/musical. It's kind of like "The Music Man" meets "Quadrophenia" meets "Streets of Fire." Very cool indeed.

Story involves the emergence of Soho in the very early 1960's. The whole Mod scene was just catching on and times were about to get very interesting, as the whole Northern Soul and R&B sound was about to explode. Features an awesome David Bowie, and, as always, the dazzling (despite being somewhat talent-hungry) Patsy Kensit. Add to this, an impeccable soundtrack.

I recall that when it came out, I first got the soundtrack lp just for the Vespa on the front. (Since I collect them, as well as Lambrettas). Then, I flipped the lp over and saw the features. Three words sealed the deal for me: "The Style Council." Paul Weller and Mick Talbot are still among my personal idols.

Get this movie. It's very good and I know you won't regret it. Also get for "Quadrophenia" featuring very young "bell-boy" Sting. It too captures the mod scene very well, and the clashes with greasers and the infamous "Rumble in Brighton" of which Sezter (a la the Stray Cats) sang.

Also, check out "Streets of Fire" and "Something Wild." Particularly the latter has an INCREDIBLE soundtrack.

---

The first music video musical
Julien Temple had lots of experience making music video's before he made this film, and it shows. Basically, it is many music video's strung together to formulate a film, which is not such a good idea. The story needed much more dialogue and character definition. You'll watch the film and think it looks really neat, but you won't care for the characters. A few months after this film was released, Spike Lee had a hit with something called "Do the right thing". Spike's film is almost a copy of this, same plotline, same issues, but no music. Both films cover a hot summer heatwave where peoples tempers are on edge, race riots occur, etc etc. Why Spike got more attention, I'm not quite sure.