Review of Absolute Beginners (1986) by Robert C — 04 Apr 2009

Incredibly flawed and not nearly as good as it seemed 23 years ago, but I still rather like it. Seems like it was 2.5 hours and got chopped down - plot points spring in an artless manner from nowhere and too much of the music is truncated or interrupted.

Plus Temple doesn't take full advantage of musical scenes that should be in your face and filled with bravado, like the runway scene or the Slim Gaillard performance or the Tenpole Tudor scene (it's shot so far away that no one appears menacing or full of life or anything).

Still, what it says about rock and roll and commercialism, as well as the economic manipulation of teenagers and rebellion, is VERY unusual and entirely on the mark. In addition, the soundtrack is easily the best of the 80s - not only do they have more obvious inclusions, but enlist Miles Davis collaborator Gil Evans for some great instrumentals, has ex-Advertising front guy writing and producing Slim Gaillard, reinvigorates some Charles Mingus and Miles Davis tunes into catchy and cool pop jazz, enlists ex- Specials Jerry Dammers for a cool jazz suite and includes the best work Ray Davies had done in forever.

Plus, Sade actually performs the sort of music she should have been doing all along instead of that soft modern carribbean jazz nonsense.