By Melissa Antoinette Garza
With a lot of negative energy floating around because of the mid-terms, I needed a feelgood movie that is somewhat relevant yet filled with optimism and fun. A musical about the dangers of selling one’s soul seems like a perfect fit. ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS (1986) offers not only that, but also throws in a healthy dose of David Bowie. Regardless of my state of mind, Bowie always puts a smile on my face.
Sadly, the film didn’t fare well during the time of its release and actually aided in the collapse of the film studio that put it out. Oddly, the generational culture clash of style and costumes that irked the critics is one of the reasons I love it.
ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS takes place in the late 50s. The film follows photographer Colin (Eddie O’Connell) who is madly in love with fashion model Suzette (Patsy Kensit). Suzette cares for him too, but is focused on her career and success. Colin is more laid back. He doesn’t like the hustle of it all.
Unlike Suzette, Colin lives among the poor and in the city. He’s never brought her around the home that he affectionately calls ‘sweet-and-sour.’ Colin loves the city! Race relations, though still strained, are far better. Residents don’t much care about where someone comes from or who they had sex with. In the city, one has the freedom to live without judgement, gossip or hate, for the most part. Still, Suzette accustomed to the fashion world makes him certain that she couldn’t and/or wouldn’t assimilate. To defend his point, she essentially tells him the same thing.
Instead, he tries his hand at her world. Despite, hating the pop music industry and hating what it does to the artists, he caves. He meets suave, pervy Harry Charms (Lionel Blair) who is essentially a nicer Simon Cowell with better hair. Charms puts the artists in costumes and creates the image to get them to stardom. The scenes with Charms are actually quite daring as they openly satirize the dangers of child stardom and the creepy weirdos who push kids into it. Make no mistakes, Charms is a creeper!
Meanwhile, Suzette is killing it on the runway where she rips and changes the dress while dancing. She does a fantastic number where fashion guru Dido Lament (Anita Morris) cheers her on with the rest of the onlookers who give her a standing o.
While Suzette is killing it, Colin is escorted out of the building unbeknownst to her. He’s essentially told she doesn’t want him there, which isn’t true. She thinks he skipped out and later breaks plans with him when they meet up in a beatnik cafe.
Suzette sings a soft song of ambition to Colin. The melody is set to a bluesy tone and the snaps of fingertips. I love how strong she is. I know the plot leads the viewer to think she is greedy, but the girl knows what she wants! She wants it all and she’s doing it for herself! Also, it isn’t as though she’s like the hoity-toity, old cash crowd she hangs with. They suck. She keeps her edge, but also her focus. I respect that.
Colin on the other hand is going against his belief system and morality for a girl. I have less respect for that. Suzette doesn’t really see the way in which her actions hurt others. She’s so absorbed by it that she’s blind to a lot of the negativity.
When she takes off for weeks,Colin goes crazy. He shows up at Dido’s party where he drinks, parties and has a good time. Dido flirts up a storm with Colin while sexy gent, Vendice Partners (David Bowie) looks on. Partners introduces himself as the head of an agency who claims he’s looking for someone with integrity. Finally, he sees Suzette and finds out she’s engaged to a much older man. Henley (James Fox) put a huge rock on her finger.
It is while devastated in selfish love that a white supremacist organization moves to his neighborhood and begins protesting. Colin barely notices as he starts hanging with Partners at his cool pad. Partners is a marketing genius masquerading as an artist.
In the best scene of the movie, Partners dances on a typewriter as different ad campaigns play out where Colin takes pictures. A big screen plays out different scenarios that appeal to Colin as Bowie rocks it as an unscrupulous leader of the industry. He lures Colin in with promises of riches and of course, Suzette.
Colin sells out and starts making tons of cash convinced he will now get Suzette. His art suffers as even when he returns home rather than getting natural shots, he becomes affected and directs every movement of the muse. He buys his own bullshit.
The racists continue to get more violent and start fires while Colin doesn’t even notice, let alone take out his camera and expose the injustice. When he finds out that the racists and the supposed redevelopments of the communities are connected to Henley and crew, Colin finally comes to his senses. He ends up at a white power rally and sees the hatred firsthand. He then with Suzette finally understanding the scope of what is going on, joins forces to end the violence.
This is an underrated musical gem that is quite often overlooked. Though many of the themes are heavy, there is an inspirational and lovely message about dignity, respect and keeping one’s soul that is compelling and expertly conveyed.
Off topic, one of my favorite tunes is QUIET LIFE. Anyone who grew up with a noisy large family or had to live in an apartment before buying their own house will understand the father’s (Ray Davies) plight. Also, the visuals surrounding the song and the activities that make the noise are quite hilarious!
I didn’t see this up for streaming anywhere other than free on YOUTUBE, so if you don’t own it, there’s that. Just watch it before the copyright cops take it down though I’d suggest you purchase this one. It has much re-watch value.
Scared Stiff Rating: 7.5/10
