| Absolute Beginners | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | Julien Temple |
| Written by | Richard Burridge |
| Starring | Eddie O'Connell Patsy Kensit David Bowie James Fox Ray Davies Mandy Rice-Davies Sade Edward Tudor-Pole Bruce Payne Irene Handl |
| Cinematography | Oliver Stapleton |
| Editing by | Gerry Hambling |
| Studio | Goldcrest Films Virgin |
| Distributed by | Palace Pictures |
| Release date(s) | April 18, 1986 |
| Running time | 108 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Absolute Beginners is a 1986 British rock musical film 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. The film was screened out of competition at the 1986 Cannes Film Festival.[1]
Upon its release on April 18, 1986, Absolute Beginners 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.
Contents |
The film takes place in 1958, a time in which 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 the 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.
| Absolute Beginners: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by Various Artists | |
| Released | April 7, 1986 |
| Genre | Acid Jazz, Downtempo, Contemporary Jazz, Pop, Rock |
| Label | Virgin Records |
| Producer | Clive Langer & Alan Winstanley |
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, Ray Davies' Quiet Life and the Style Council's songs were released as singles. Tracks 11-18 were exclusive to the CD version.
Track listing
A double length cassette (Virgin TCVD 2514) was also released that featured 4 more tracks.
Track listing: