Absolute Beginners (1986): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Absolute Beginners is a 1986 drama musical directed by Julien Temple, starring David Bowie, James Fox and Patsy Kensit. It runs 1 hour 48 minutes and earned $930,211 worldwide. Critics gave it 70% on Rotten Tomatoes and 60 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 48m (108 min)
- Director
- Julien Temple
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Palace Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Absolute Beginners About?
The premise of Absolute Beginners without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Aspiring photographer Colin finds himself drawn into the captivating world of enigmatic model Crepe Suzette. Guided by the charismatic Vendice Partners, he experiences the competitive advertising industry firsthand and confronts social issues of the time, such as racism. As Colin and Crepe pursue fame, they must navigate the challenges of youthful rebellion and the compromises that come with chasing success.
Absolute Beginners Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- race riot
- year 1958
- narrated by protagonist
- reference to oscar wilde
- reference to the blitz
- reference to jayne mansfield
- n word
- newspaper headline
- scene during end credits
- teenage romance
- based on the novel of the same name
- roll call opening credits
+38 more Show fewer
- end credits roll call
- candy cinema
- bayswater london
- classic musical
- pop rock music
- popular music
- rekindled romance
- spurned suitor
- lavender marriage
- 19 year old boy
- teenage protagonist
- notting hill london
- teen idol
- gossip columnist
- marriage of convenience
- advertising agency
- teddy boy
- fascist politics
- housing development
- groping
- sexual assault
- racial violence
- throwing away wedding ring
- music promoter
- fashion model
- coffee house
- thames river
- pimlico london
- rooming house
- xenophobia
- interracial marriage
- straight razor
- rock 'n' roll music
- lesbian character
- gay character
- phone booth
- homosexual character
- saying thank you
Absolute Beginners Cast
David Bowie leads the cast, with James Fox and Patsy Kensit. Directed by Julien Temple; 10 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Julien Temple
Also Starring in Absolute Beginners
· 6 moreAbsolute Beginners Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Absolute Beginners 70% on Rotten Tomatoes and 60 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10.
-
IMDb 5.6 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 70% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 38%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 60 Metascore
User score 6.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 55% User score
See on TMDB
Absolute Beginners Plot Summary
What happens in Absolute Beginners from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the dynamic landscape of London during 1958, the jazz era begins to fade as rock and roll takes its place, marking a significant cultural shift. At the center of this transformation is Colin, a young photographer captivated by the charm of Suzette, an aspiring fashion designer. With a burning drive for artistic authenticity, Colin finds himself caught in the relentless grasp of commercial photography initiated by music producer Harry Charms, who has his sights set on the young sensation known as Baby Boom.
Full summary
The whole story of Absolute Beginners, scene by scene
Absolute Beginners Box Office
Absolute Beginners grossed $930,211 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$930.2K
- US & Canada
- $930.2K
Absolute Beginners Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Absolute Beginners.
How Well Do You Know Absolute Beginners?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What year does the film 'Absolute Beginners' take place in?
Cars in Absolute Beginners
51 cars on screen, including the 1958 Piaggio Vespa 150 GS and the Isetta 300.
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1958 Piaggio Vespa 150 GS Main role -
Isetta 300 Important role -
1951 Jaguar Mk.VII Important role -
1950 Alvis TA 21 Drophead Coupé Minor role
Absolute Beginners Also Known As
10 alternative titles, including “Absolute Beginners - Junge Helden” and “Absolute Beginners (Principiantes)”.
- Also known as
-
- Absolute Beginners - Junge Helden
- Absolute Beginners (Principiantes)
- Principiantes
- התחלות ראשונות
- Абсолютно начинаещи
- Abszolút kezdők
- 初生之犊
- Absolutamente Principiantes
- Абсолютные новички
- 철부지들의 꿈
Seen Absolute Beginners?
Movies Like Absolute Beginners
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Absolute Beginners, Beginners and The Young Lovers.
Absolute Beginners FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Absolute Beginners, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Absolute Beginners?
Absolute Beginners runs 1 hour 48 minutes (108 minutes).
When was Absolute Beginners released?
Absolute Beginners was released on April 18, 1986.
Who directed Absolute Beginners?
Absolute Beginners was directed by Julien Temple.
More films by Julien Temple Who is in the cast of Absolute Beginners?
Absolute Beginners stars David Bowie, James Fox and Patsy Kensit, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Absolute Beginners make at the box office?
Absolute Beginners grossed $930,211 worldwide.
How is Absolute Beginners rated?
Absolute Beginners has 5.6/10 on IMDb, 70% on Rotten Tomatoes, 60 on Metacritic and 55% on TMDB.
Does Absolute Beginners have a post-credit scene?
No. Absolute Beginners has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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