Absolute Beginners (1986)

Slow pace in the most part of the movie.

Perfect cast and a good story

A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

Being a fan of most musicals I expected a fun story with hopefully catchy songs. Alas this outing proved to be a disappointment in more fields than one.The film's story is meant to tell the story of a young photographer's romance with a nightclub singer and his corruption by a greedy advertising agent. And then there's some subplot about racial tensions escalating to rioting. Sadly the story immediately falls flat on impact as soon as the protagonist begins his voice-over of the film's events. The performances of Eddie O'Connell and Patsy Kinset are particularly painful as their romantic chemistry is clearly lacking. Kinset comes off as whiny at the worst times or she is completely uninterested in interacting with her fellow actors. Her big song early in the film is instantly forgettable as she repeats the song's title over and over that it is maddeningly irritating. O'Connell as well is not much of an actor as he speaks his lines with a lack of passion; like just reading the script without emotion. His own singing is also unremarkable like Kinset's; lack of passion or real talent in the art.Terribly unused and meant to be a major player in the film is David Bowie as the corrupt Vendice Partners. Given Bowie's proved acting abilities in the past, the filmmakers seemed to have discarded this detail except for Bowie's songwriting ability and terrific vocals. Bowie wrote the film's title song that plays over the opening credits and is the film's only memorable musical number and has his own musical number within the narrative. Sadly the performance and musical sequence is utterly forgettable after the film's end which is a crying shame for the gravitas that David Bowie brings to his film performances.If you want an example of how not to do a musical, this is a sure bet.

Nineteen year old Colin is trying to find his place in life. He believes in equality for all, regardless of race, colour, creed, sex or sexual orientation. He has nothing against money, but doesn't like what some people have to do to obtain money, or what money does to people. He loves Suzette, and she loves him, but is focusing on her career as a fashion designer. Colin drops his principles to do work for money to impress Suzette, as a photographer. Through this process, Colin finds that he ends up being the public spirit of the London teenager. But that work takes him from his own ideals, from which he may not be able to escape to find his way back to his self and to Suzette...........Somewhere in this pile of rubbish, is a wonderful work of genius trying to get out, and despite the fact that Temple is an artist in his own right,Mathis is a failure of epic proportions.And it's a crying shame, because there are some flashes of genius between the tiresome, tawdry dance scenes, and the first ten minutes really does build you up for something special.And that's the problem, just when you think its in danger of getting boring to the point of wanting to turn it off, a set dazzles you, or Lionel Blair pops up in a cameo, and this is how the film is for it's running time.Kensit and O'Connell are impressive as the Romeo and Juliet of the story, but the addition of some wonderful side characters such as Ed The Ted, and The Fanatic, leave them waiting in the sidelines just looking pretty.And then we have the Notting Hill Race Riots depicted using the medium of dance. Is this a flash of genius, or just pretentious prattle prattle aiming to challenge?It doesn't challenge, it baffles, because something that affected so many back in the fifties, has been resorted to the jitterbug.Like I've said, there are some flashes of genius, but at the end of the day, it just feels too pretentious for its own good.

I bought this movie for $1 at a bargain store. When it first began, I was really impressed by the complicated sets, neat choreography, and promise of interesting characters. Unfortunately, halfway through the movie, it completely abandons logic. Unnecessary songs are thrown in (David Bowie's "Selling Out", complete with giant typewriter, is laughably disturbing.) Character development is abandoned (I would have loved to see more interaction between the main character and his colorful assortment of friends.) And crime-of-crimes David Bowie is horrendously cast as a staid (if flashy) businessman…who acts exactly as he will in the later movie "Labyrinth." The 1st scene was actually worth the buy, it's roaming technique makes AB's London gritty, colorful, huge and intimate all at once. It will take you by surprise. Even the freak-show with Rys-Davies glitters with some inner genius. Unfortunately, the movie tries too hard to be intelligent, and ends up with too much plot weight for a musical to handle. By the time it has reach the "climatic" street brawl scene, its spine has already snapped. It's the last flails of a dying creature. The movie leaves you confused, disappointed, and angry at all the characters.And it ends with a gratuitous sex scene no less.

I simply don't know of any better modern musical. Stunningly creative and an absolute starburst of colors and sounds. Amazing sets that are both "real" and fantastical at the same time. Plus, there's a huge number of them, so it must have cost a fortune. Ray Davies' singing in a house built like a dollhouse is a knockout scene--totally creative and unusual and is often the scene which is considered the high point of the film. David Bowie is fabulous, as is Anita Morris, although her role is way too brief. The movie is from 1986 but it seems absolutely fresh today. A totally wonderful romp and a positive message, in addition. Highest recommendation! Please let's have more winners like this one.