Absolute Beginners is a 1986 British rock musical

Rock musical

A rock musical is a musical theatre work with rock music. The genre of rock musical may overlap somewhat with album musicals, concept albums and song cycles, as they sometimes tell a story through the rock music, and some album musicals and concept albums become rock musicals...

 film adapted from the Colin MacInnes

Colin MacInnes

Colin MacInnes was an English novelist and journalist.-Early life:MacInnes was born in London, the son of singer James Campbell McInnes and novelist Angela Thirkell, who was also related to Rudyard Kipling and Stanley Baldwin. His family moved to Australia in 1920, MacInness returning in 1930...

 book of the same name about life in late 1950s London

London

London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...

. The film was directed by Julien Temple

Julien Temple

Julien Temple is an English film, documentary and music video director. He began his career with short films featuring the Sex Pistols, and has continued with various off-beat projects, including The Great Rock And Roll Swindle, Absolute Beginners and a documentary film about Glastonbury.-Temple...

, featured David Bowie

David Bowie

David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...

 and Sade

Sade Adu

Helen Folasade Adu OBE , is a British singer-songwriter, composer, and record producer. She first achieved success in the 1980s as the frontwoman and lead vocalist of the Brit and Grammy Award winning English group Sade.-Biography:Sade was born in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria...

, and a breakout role by Patsy Kensit

Patsy Kensit

Patricia Jude Francis "Patsy" Kensit is an English actress, singer, model and former child star, known for her television and film appearances. Her films include Lethal Weapon 2 and she has been married to rock stars Jim Kerr and Liam Gallagher, as well as herself fronting the band Eighth Wonder...

. The film was screened out of competition at the 1986 Cannes Film Festival

1986 Cannes Film Festival

- Jury :*Sydney Pollack*Alexandre Mnouchkine*Alexandre Trauner*Charles Aznavour*Danièle Thompson*István Szabó*Lino Brocka*Philip French*Sonia Braga*Tonino Delli Colli-Feature film competition:* After Hours by Martin Scorsese...

.

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

Revolution (1985 film)

Revolution is a 1985 film directed by Hugh Hudson, written by Robert Dillon and starring Al Pacino, Helen Porter, Donald Sutherland, Nastassja Kinski, Joan Plowright, Dave King, Annie Lennox, Danny Turner, Steven Berkoff, Graham Greene, and Robbie Coltrane....

). 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

The Style Council

The Style Council were an English band, formed in 1983 by the ex-The Jam singer and guitarist Paul Weller, with keyboardist Mick Talbot. The permanent line-up grew to include drummer Steve White and Weller's then-wife, vocalist Dee C. Lee. Other artists such as Tracie Young and Tracey Thorn also...

 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

Streets of Fire

Streets of Fire is a 1984 film directed by Walter Hill and co-written by Hill and Larry Gross. It was described in previews, trailers, and posters as "A Rock & Roll Fable." It is an unusual mix of musical, action, drama, and comedy with elements both of retro-1950s and 1980s...

, 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

Goldcrest Films

Goldcrest Films is a British film production company founded by Jake Eberts in January 1977. It enjoyed great success in the 1980s with films such as Local Hero , The Killing Fields and Hope and Glory mostly produced by David Puttnam on modest budgets. The company also benefited from the new...

, a major British film studio.

Plot

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

Notting Hill race riots

The Notting Hill race riots were a series of racially-motivated riots that took place in London, England over several nights in late August and early September 1958.-Context:The end of World War II had seen a marked increase in Caribbean migrants to Britain...

.

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.

Cast

• Patsy Kensit
  Patsy Kensit
  Patricia Jude Francis "Patsy" Kensit is an English actress, singer, model and former child star, known for her television and film appearances. Her films include Lethal Weapon 2 and she has been married to rock stars Jim Kerr and Liam Gallagher, as well as herself fronting the band Eighth Wonder...
  
   - Crepe Suzette
• Eddie O'Connell - Colin: the narrator was unnamed in the original novel, so was given the author's first name for the film.
• David Bowie
  David Bowie
  David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
  
   - Vendice Partners
• James Fox
  James Fox
  James Fox, OBE is an English actor.-Early life:James Fox was born in London, England to theatrical agent Robin Fox and actress Angela Worthington. He is the brother of actor Edward Fox and film producer Robert Fox. The actress Emilia Fox is his niece and the actor Laurence Fox is his son. His...
  
   - Henley of Mayfair
• Bruce Payne
  Bruce Payne
  Bruce Martyn Payne is an award winning English character actor and producer and was a member of the 1980's Brit Pack. Although he is best known for his villainous roles, Bruce Payne has played characters across the spectrum...
  
   - Flikker
• Sade Adu
  Sade Adu
  Helen Folasade Adu OBE , is a British singer-songwriter, composer, and record producer. She first achieved success in the 1980s as the frontwoman and lead vocalist of the Brit and Grammy Award winning English group Sade.-Biography:Sade was born in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria...
  
   - Athene Duncannon
• Ray Davies
  Ray Davies
  Ray Davies, CBE is an English rock musician. He is best known as lead singer and songwriter for the Kinks, which he led with his younger brother, Dave...
  
   - Father
• Lionel Blair
  Lionel Blair
  Lionel Blair is a British actor, choreographer, tap dancer and television presenter. He is the son of Myer Ogus and Deborah Greenbaum...
  
   - Harry Charms
• Steven Berkoff
  Steven Berkoff
  Steven Berkoff is an English actor, writer and director. Best known for his performance as General Orlov in the James Bond film Octopussy, he is typically cast in villanous roles, such as Lt...
  
   - The Fanatic
• Edward Tudor-Pole
  Edward Tudor-Pole
  Edward Tudor-Pole is an English musician, singer , TV presenter and actor.- Musical career :Tudor-Pole formed the band Tenpole Tudor in 1974, and eventually came to prominence after appearing in the film The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle as a possible replacement for Johnny Rotten in the Sex Pistols...
  
   - Ed The Ted: credited as Tenpole Tudor.
• Slim Gaillard
  Slim Gaillard
  Bulee "Slim" Gaillard was an American jazz singer, songwriter, pianist, and guitarist, noted for his vocalese singing and word play in a language he called "Vout"...
  
   - Party Singer

Soundtrack

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

Gil Evans

Gil Evans was a jazz pianist, arranger, composer and bandleader, active in the United States...

. 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

1. "Absolute Beginners
   Absolute Beginners (song)
   "Absolute Beginners" was the theme tune to the film of the same name , composed and performed by David Bowie....
   
   " — David Bowie
   David Bowie
   David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
   
    - 8:03
2. "Killer Blow" — Sade
   Sade (band)
   Sade is a British smooth jazz band that formed in 1983, named for Nigerian lead singer Sade Adu. Their music features elements of R&B, soul, jazz, and soft rock....
   
    - 4:37
3. "Have You Ever Had It Blue?" — The Style Council
   The Style Council
   The Style Council were an English band, formed in 1983 by the ex-The Jam singer and guitarist Paul Weller, with keyboardist Mick Talbot. The permanent line-up grew to include drummer Steve White and Weller's then-wife, vocalist Dee C. Lee. Other artists such as Tracie Young and Tracey Thorn also...
   
    - 5:37
4. "Quiet Life" — Ray Davies
   Ray Davies
   Ray Davies, CBE is an English rock musician. He is best known as lead singer and songwriter for the Kinks, which he led with his younger brother, Dave...
   
    - 2:56
5. "Va Va Voom" — Gil Evans
   Gil Evans
   Gil Evans was a jazz pianist, arranger, composer and bandleader, active in the United States...
   
    - 3:26
6. "That's Motivation" — David Bowie - 4:14
7. "Having It All" — Eighth Wonder
   Eighth Wonder
   Eighth Wonder were a British pop band in the 1980s. They formed in 1983 and enjoyed major success in Japan and Italy between 1985 and 1987, before having hit singles in the UK and across Europe in 1988.-Early years:...
   
    featuring Patsy Kensit
   Patsy Kensit
   Patricia Jude Francis "Patsy" Kensit is an English actress, singer, model and former child star, known for her television and film appearances. Her films include Lethal Weapon 2 and she has been married to rock stars Jim Kerr and Liam Gallagher, as well as herself fronting the band Eighth Wonder...
   
    - 3:08
8. "Rodrigo Bay" — Working Week
   Working Week (band)
   Working Week were a British jazz-dance musical ensemble, active in the 1980s and 1990s.Working Week were formed in 1983 by guitarist Simon Booth and saxophonist Larry Stabbins, who were previously in post punk outfit Weekend...
   
    - 3:32
9. "Selling Out" — Slim Gaillard
   Slim Gaillard
   Bulee "Slim" Gaillard was an American jazz singer, songwriter, pianist, and guitarist, noted for his vocalese singing and word play in a language he called "Vout"...
   
    - 3:36
10. "Riot City" — Jerry Dammers
    Jerry Dammers
    Jeremy David Hounsell "Jerry" Dammers is a British musician who is a founder and keyboard player of the Coventry, England based ska revival band The Specials, The Special A.K.A...
    
     - 8:29
11. "Boogie Stop Shuffle (Rough And The Smooth)" — Gil Evans - 3:00
12. "Ted Ain't Ded" — Tenpole Tudor
    Tenpole Tudor
    Tenpole Tudor are an English punk band fronted by Edward Tudor-Pole. The band has been active intermittently since 1977.-Origins:Tenpole Tudor formed in 1977 when Tudor-Pole met guitarist Bob Kingston , bassist Dick Crippen, and drummer Gary Long...
    
     - 2:35
13. "Volare (Nel Blu Dipinito Di Blu)
    Volare (song)
    "Nel blu dipinto di blu" , popularly known as "Volare" , is Domenico Modugno's signature song....
    
    " — David Bowie - 3:13
14. "Napoli" — Clive Langer
    Clive Langer
    Clive Langer is a British record producer active from the mid 1970s onwards. He usually works with Alan Winstanley. He composed the music for the films Still Crazy and Brothers of the Head. Prior to his record producing career he was a guitarist with the British cult band Deaf SchoolLanger...
    
     - 4:08
15. "Little Cat (You've Never Had It So Good)" — Jonas
    Jonas
    - Jonah name :* Jonah Metropolitan of Moscow , also known as Saint Jonas* Jonah, Old Testament prophet-Places:* Jonas , a hamlet in the municipalities Epe and Apeldoorn in the Netherlands* Jonas, Pennsylvania- Other :...
    
     - 2:19
16. "Better Git It In Your Soul (The Hot And The Cool)" — Gil Evans - 1:49
17. "So What? (Lyric Version)" — Smiley Culture
    Smiley Culture
    David Victor Emmanuel , better known as Smiley Culture, was a British reggae singer and deejay known for his 'fast chat' style. During a relatively brief period of fame and success, he produced two of the most critically acclaimed reggae singles of the 1980s...
    
    - 4:18
18. "Absolute Beginners (Refrain)" — Gil Evans - 1:41

A double length cassette (Virgin TCVD 2514) was also released that featured 4 more tracks.

Track listing:

Side A:

1. "Absolute Beginners", David Bowie (David Bowie)
2. "Killer Blow", Sade (Stabbins, Adu, Booth)
3. "Have You Ever Had It Blue?", The Style Council (Paul Weller, arranged by David Bedford)
4. "Quiet Life", Ray Davies (Ray Davies)
5. "Va Va Voom", Gil Evans (Gil Evans)
6. "That's Motivation", David Bowie (David Bowie)
7. "Having It All", Eighth Wonder featuring Patsy Kensit (Godson, Beauchamp, P. Kensit)
8. "Rodrigo Bay", Working Week (Stabbins, Booth)
9. "Selling Out", Slim Gaillard (Temple, Gaillard, Taylor)
10. "Riot City", Jerry Dammers (Jerry Dammers)

Side B:

1. "Boogie Stop Shuffle (Rough And The Smooth)", Gil Evans (Mingus)
2. "Ted Ain't Ded", Tenpole Tudor (Tudorpole, Temple)
3. "Volare (Nel Blu Dipinito Di Blu)", David Bowie (Modugno, Migliacci)
4. "Napoli", Clive Langer (Langer, Temple)
5. "Little Cat (You've Never Had It So Good)", Jonas (24) (Nick Lowe)
6. "Absolute Beginners (Slight Refrain)", Gil Evans (David Bowie)
7. "Better Git It In Your Soul (The Hot And The Cool)", Gil Evans (Mingus)
8. "Landlords And Tenants", Laurel Aitken (Laurel Aitken)
9. "Santa Lucia", Ekow Abban (Ekow Abban)
10. "Cool Napoli", Gil Evans (Langer, Temple)
11. "So What? (Lyric Version)", Smiley Culture (Miles Davis, Smiley Culture)
12. "Absolute Beginners (Refrain)", Gil Evans (David Bowie)