Absolute Beginners

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Cast

David Bowie
as Vendice Partners

Ray Davies
as Arthur

Sade
as Athene Duncannon

Eddie O'Connell
as Colin

Patsy Kensit
as Suzette

Tony Hippolyte
as Mr. Cool

Steven Berkoff
as The Fanatic

James Fox
as Henley of Mayfair

Anita Morris
as Dido Lament

Eve Ferret
as Big Jill

Mandy Rice-Davies
as Mum

Graham Fletcher-Cook
as Wizard

Joe McKenna
as Fabulous Hoplite

Tenpole Tudor
as Ed the Ted

Bruce Payne
as Flikker

Alan Freeman
as Call-Me-Cobber

Paul Rhys
as Dean Swift

Julian Firth
as The Misery Kid

Chris Pitt
as Baby Boom

Lionel Blair
as Harry Charms

Gary Beadle
as Johnny Wonder

Robbie Coltrane
as Mario

Jess Conrad
as Cappuccino Man

Smiley Culture
as D.J. Entertainer

Ronald Fraser
as Amberly Drove

Slim Gaillard
as Party Singer

Irene Handl
as Mrs. Larkin

Peter-Hugo Daly
as Vern

Susie Figgis

Amanda Jane Powell
as Dorita

G.B.
as Zoot

Johnny Shannon
as Saltzman

Sylvia Syms
as Cynthia Eve

Mary Selway

Robert Austin
as Slim Brother

Jim Dunk
as Slim Brother

Johnny Edge
as Trader Horn

Carmen Ejogo
as Carmen

Paul Fairminer
as Eddie Sex

Hugo First
as Maltese Lodger

Pat Hartley
as Ms. Cool Sr.

Astley Harvey
as Mr. Cool Sr.

Colin Jeavons
as Pamphleteer

Ekow Abban
as Santa Lucia Club Owner

Alfred Maron
as Bert the Tailor

Zoot Money
as Chez Nobody Barman

Gerry Alexander
as Ton-Up Vicar

Sandie Shaw
as Baby Boom's Mum

Bruno Tonioli
as Maltese Lodger

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Critic Reviews for Absolute Beginners

Audience Reviews for Absolute Beginners

• Sep 06, 2010

  On the box for this movie, a critic says it's a splashy musical or something, but that doesn't mean it's good, so I wondered why they put that on the box. If you ask me this movie is too splashy and doesn't focus on the story enough. Overall, it's okay.
  Aj V Super Reviewer
• Feb 23, 2009

  Just re-watched this, having seen it in the theater when it came out and on VHS several years ago. Sure it's not a GREAT film...but as musicals go (I generally hate them) this is one that I don't mind. Which I'm sure is a testament to the historical aspects of it's story and the fact that it is riddled with cameo's (Sandie Shaw) and musical "numbers" performed by some really great musicians (Bowie, Ray Davies, Sade).
  Robert C Super Reviewer
• Nov 10, 2008

  Going to be honest and admit I was only watching for David Bowie. Wish I hadn't bothered. He's in it about 15 minutes and it's certainly not a career highlight for him when he is. Very hammy, but so is the rest of it. There is some mildly interesting bits and London looks bright and pretty, but it's a pretty crappy story honestly. The main character is uncharismatic and Patsy Kensit always struck me as a bit cheap, so I guess the money hungry Suzette she plays is good casting. The best part of the movie is when the credits roll and the theme song comes on. Can't believe such a great song got lumped in with this mess. I'd rather watch my David Bowie greatest hits DVD next time.
  Nicki M Super Reviewer
• Apr 03, 2008

  Julien Temple gets an "A" for effort in creating a modern musical recreation of the 1950's British Teen scene. The problem here is that the movie is too dark and risque for the family crowd and too light-hearted and tame for the adult crowd. It catches momentum in its third act, has a star making performance from Tony Hippolyte and Patsy Kensit, a great musical numbers by Bowie, Davies, and Sade, but would have benefited more by sticking closer to the source material of the Notting Hill Riots, instead of turning it into a cartoon.
  Anthony V Super Reviewer

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