Review of Absolute Beginners (1986) by Indiefilmlover — 29 Aug 2021

A visually stunning musical which mixed romance and social commentary was virtually unseen by audiences at the time of its release, but still holds up nicely today. Perhaps audiences weren't interested in a musical that dealt with social and political unrest.

At the same time, audiences that were interested in social issues, perhaps did not want it addressed in the form of a musical. However, for audiences with a open mind, "Absolute Beginners" can be both entertaining and illuminating.

The fastastic soundtrack features a mix of classic and original tunes. The cast which includes David Bowie (who both sings and dances) is first-rate. Sade makes a rare film appearance singing, the fine original, "Killer Blow.

" Also, watch out for an early film appearance of Carmen Ejogo, who plays the younger sister of the Mr. Cool character in the film. The movie was helmed by music video Julien Temple, who also shot Janet Jackson's "When I Think of You" clip.

The introduction of the film employs a similar visual style to the video, which efficiently introduces the major characters. Looking for something beyond the typical musical, then "Absolute Beginners" is definitely worth a look.