Review of Quadrophenia (1979) by Sarah L — 26 Jun 2010

At the beginning the film tends to be a little annoying with all the stereotypes about mods and rockers popping up from everywhere. Of course the characterization of the time is necessary but the director makes sure that you get them by pushing them down your throat.

Once the story falls on the characters themselves it gets much better. It ends up being a nice tale of people in search of their individuality by integrating a group, which may sound weird in theory but it is actually the way it works. Especially when all the bounds of an individual with society are very weak.

We get to watch all the bridges either being burned or falling by themselves as Jimmy finds out his individuality price is loneliness. This comes out not as a critic on the mod movement by itself but as a general idea about 'mob mentality' and group behavior.

And although the unnecessary and too obvious allusions at the start it is still a very good view and study of the UK's teenage culture in the 60's.