Sexyloutak Absolutely the worst movie.

Voxitype Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

Guillelmina The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Dana An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

FlashCallahan Nineteen year old Colin is trying to find his place in life. He believes in equality for all, regardless of race, colour, creed, sex or sexual orientation. He has nothing against money, but doesn't like what some people have to do to obtain money, or what money does to people. He loves Suzette, and she loves him, but is focusing on her career as a fashion designer. Colin drops his principles to do work for money to impress Suzette, as a photographer. Through this process, Colin finds that he ends up being the public spirit of the London teenager. But that work takes him from his own ideals, from which he may not be able to escape to find his way back to his self and to Suzette...........Somewhere in this pile of rubbish, is a wonderful work of genius trying to get out, and despite the fact that Temple is an artist in his own right,Mathis is a failure of epic proportions.And it's a crying shame, because there are some flashes of genius between the tiresome, tawdry dance scenes, and the first ten minutes really does build you up for something special.And that's the problem, just when you think its in danger of getting boring to the point of wanting to turn it off, a set dazzles you, or Lionel Blair pops up in a cameo, and this is how the film is for it's running time.Kensit and O'Connell are impressive as the Romeo and Juliet of the story, but the addition of some wonderful side characters such as Ed The Ted, and The Fanatic, leave them waiting in the sidelines just looking pretty.And then we have the Notting Hill Race Riots depicted using the medium of dance. Is this a flash of genius, or just pretentious prattle prattle aiming to challenge?It doesn't challenge, it baffles, because something that affected so many back in the fifties, has been resorted to the jitterbug.Like I've said, there are some flashes of genius, but at the end of the day, it just feels too pretentious for its own good.

ptb-8 A great idea and a huge Brit budget, ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS is so ambitious and so technically well and packed with great 80s Soho jazz musical numbers that it forgets to include the hooks for an audience. It is actually for people in theater and film who love musicals and the techniques. It isn't for the general ticket buying public who expect a conventional story with a structure. The lead actor Eddie OConnell is a bit Ken doll or even Cliff Richard...maybe that is the point but he is lacking in charisma. Visually it is a feast and musically it is very engaging, but like the Minnelli musicals YOLANDA AND THE THIEF or THE PIRATE and the Brit satire Ken Russell musical THE BOYFRIEND or John Waters 1988 film of HAIRSPRAY there has to be a strong core to break though to mainstream cinema goers; otherwise, like those films, it is relegated to cult interest and the 'noble failure' bin. In time it will be a quintessential 80s style musical and we are not far enough away from then yet. It also cost a massive amount and lost it all, killing off the studio that financed the $15m.... ugh. If made today, it would be financed by Absolute Vodka and marketed with panache, finding a huge multiplex audience and making zillions of dollars for all concerned...thus being hailed as a success and a masterpiece.

vyto34 I simply don't know of any better modern musical. Stunningly creative and an absolute starburst of colors and sounds. Amazing sets that are both "real" and fantastical at the same time. Plus, there's a huge number of them, so it must have cost a fortune. Ray Davies' singing in a house built like a dollhouse is a knockout scene--totally creative and unusual and is often the scene which is considered the high point of the film. David Bowie is fabulous, as is Anita Morris, although her role is way too brief. The movie is from 1986 but it seems absolutely fresh today. A totally wonderful romp and a positive message, in addition. Highest recommendation! Please let's have more winners like this one.

d-mael First, I must respectfully disagree with the other reviewer who hated this movie. It has a complex set of plot lines that deal with a number of issues revolving around the lives of a young up-and-coming "pop photographer", and his love interest -- played by Patsy Kensit. Then, there is the "old queen" (also an unscrupulous real estate developer) who marries Patsy. Now, add to that the ad agency aspect (David Bowie's song and dance routine to "Selling Out" is a classic), plus the racial tensions in 1950's or 1960's London, and you have a multi-layered plot tapestry.Personally, I don't mind that David Bowie is only in the movie for ten minutes -- I am a fan of Bowie, but this is really not "his movie".