IMDb >
Absolute Beginners (1986)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsAbsolute Beginners (1986) More at IMDbPro »
Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
18 April 1986 (USA) moreTagline:
The music, the movement, the romance, the passion . . . all explodes on the BIG SCREEN. morePlot:
A musical adaptation of Colin MacInnes' novel about life in late 1950s London. Nineteen-year-old photographer... more | add synopsisUser Comments:
I like this one! more (30 total)Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Patsy Kensit | ... | Suzette | |
| Eddie O'Connell | ... | Colin, Photographer / Narrator | |
| David Bowie | ... | Vendice Partners | |
| James Fox | ... | Henley of Mayfair, Dressmaker to the Queen | |
| Ray Davies | ... | Arthur, Colin's Dad | |
| Mandy Rice-Davies | ... | Flora | |
| Eve Ferret | ... | Big Jill | |
| Tony Hippolyte | ... | Mr. Cool | |
| Graham Fletcher-Cook | ... | Wizard | |
| Joe McKenna | ... | Fabulous Hoplite | |
| Steven Berkoff | ... | The Fanatic | |
| Sade | ... | Athene Duncannon (as Sade Adu) | |
| Edward Tudor-Pole | ... | Ed the Ted (as Tenpole Tudor) | |
| Bruce Payne | ... | Flikker | |
| Alan Freeman | ... | Call-Me-Cobber |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
108 minCountry:
UKLanguage:
EnglishAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 moreCertification:
USA:PG-13 (certificate #27931) | Australia:PG | Canada:14A | Finland:K-14 | Iceland:L | Singapore:PG | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | West Germany:16Fun Stuff
Trivia:
After submitting the film for a 15 certificate producer Stephen Woolley was contacted by the BBFC and told that Patsy Kensit had revealed a nipple in one of the film's scenes. Despite Woolley's assurance that this was not the case because Kensit had been insistent during filming about not revealing her body, UK censor James Ferman painstakingly trawled through the movie using a BBFC "freeze frame" machine until he was finally convinced that the original information was incorrect. Only then did he grant the film an uncut certificate. moreGoofs:
Boom mic visible: When Harry Charms is auditioning young singers with Colin, there is a boom mic visible when Harry and Colin first enter the studio. moreQuotes:
[first lines]Colin: [narrating] I remember that hot, wonderful summer. When the teenage miracle reached full bloom and everyone in England stopped what they were doing to stare at what had happened. The Soho nights were cool in the heat, with light and music in the streets. And we couldn't believe that this was really coming to us at last...
more
Soundtrack:
HAVING IT ALL moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (30 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Absolute Beginners (1986) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Midnight Cowboy | Sid and Nancy | Come See the Paradise | Breakfast on Pluto | Lackawanna Blues |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Fantasy section | IMDb UK section | Add this title to MyMovies |

First, I must respectfully disagree with the other reviewer who hated this movie. It has a complex set of plot lines that deal with a number of issues revolving around the lives of a young up-and-coming "pop photographer", and his love interest -- played by Patsy Kensit. Then, there is the "old queen" (also an unscrupulous real estate developer) who marries Patsy. Now, add to that the ad agency aspect (David Bowie's song and dance routine to "Selling Out" is a classic), plus the racial tensions in 1950's or 1960's London, and you have a multi-layered plot tapestry.
Personally, I don't mind that David Bowie is only in the movie for ten minutes -- I am a fan of Bowie, but this is really not "his movie".