Absolute Beginners
Julien Temple's Absolute Beginners is a brash, messy spectacle that strips Colin MacInnes' cult novel of its heart and replaces it with empty style. Instead of a sharp coming-of-age story, we get a clumsy, overblown musical that never finds its footing.
The film's artificial, Disney-like sets clash with the few real-world locations, making everything feel fake. The story stumbles from one chaotic scene to the next, with surreal moments that add confusion rather than charm. Eddie O'Connell is painfully dull in the lead, while Patsy Kensit brings little to lift the film. The supporting cast, packed with '80s pop figures, feels like a gimmick rather than a strength.
David Bowie's appearance is the only real highlight, but even he can't save this garish, muddled mess. What should have been a bold classic of British cinema ends up a cringeworthy relic of its era.
The film's artificial, Disney-like sets clash with the few real-world locations, making everything feel fake. The story stumbles from one chaotic scene to the next, with surreal moments that add confusion rather than charm. Eddie O'Connell is painfully dull in the lead, while Patsy Kensit brings little to lift the film. The supporting cast, packed with '80s pop figures, feels like a gimmick rather than a strength.
David Bowie's appearance is the only real highlight, but even he can't save this garish, muddled mess. What should have been a bold classic of British cinema ends up a cringeworthy relic of its era.
Mini Review: Julien Temple’s adaptation of Colin McInnes' cult coming-of-age novel Absolute Beginners is a bold and vibrant musical rather than a straight interpretation of its source material. This artistic choice sacrifices some of the novel's most fundamental narrative elements. While visually striking, the film's Disney-esque colourful sets create a jarring contrast with the few scenes shot on location, making the latter seem lacking altogether.