BBBB
(out of 5)
Bouncy musical that is a terrific showcase for musical talents of the eighties. The loose story takes place in the swinging London of the fifties, and revolves around a young photographer who is madly in love with an indifferent fashion model (Patsy Kensit). The climax occurs when racial tensions create a dangerous riot in our protagonist’s neighbourhood that ends up being good for his career. The creative musical numbers include David Bowie dancing across a giant typewriter and Kensit involved in a charmingly haphazard fashion show. The colours are splashy and bright, the soundtrack a terrific collection of infectious ditties that you won’t soon forget. Julien Temple directs with easily flowing energy, and the cast is rounded out beautifully by Anita Morris, Mandy Rice-Davies (!), James Fox, Steven Berkoff and the lovely Sade.
Goldcrest Films International, Palace Pictures, Virgin
Directed by Julien Temple
Screenplay by Richard Burridge, Don MacPherson, Christopher Wicking, developed by Michael Hamlyn, additional dialogue by Terry Johnson, based on the novel by Colin MacInnes
Cinematography by Oliver Stapleton
Produced by Chris Brown, Stephen Woolley
Music by Gil Evans
Production Design by John Beard
Costume Design by Sue Blane, David Perry
Film Editing by Richard Bedford, Michael Bradsell, Gerry Hambling, Russell Lloyd
Cast Tags: Alan Freeman, Alan Spencer, Albin Pahernik, Alfred Maron, Amanda Jane Powell, Andrée Bernard, Anita Morris, Anthony Wellington, Astley Harvey, Ayo Antaeus, Barrie J. Wilkinson,Barrie Young, Bob Newent, Bruce Payne, Bruno Tonioli, Carl Trevors, Carmen Ejogo, Chris Baldock, Chris Pitt, Chris Sullivan, Chrissie Kendall,Christina Thornton, Chua Kaa-Joo, Clive Clarke, Clive Johnson, Colin Jeavons, Corinne Russell, David Bowie,David Foreman, David Morgan Young, Dennis Elcock, Eddie O’Connell, Edward Tudor-Pole, Ekow Abban, Elizabeth Wendon,Elliot Gilbert, Eve Ferret, Gary Beadle, Gary Sellars, Gerry Alexander, Glen Wilkinson, Graham Fletcher-Cook, Hoyle Baker, Hugo First, Imogen Claire, Irene Handl, Isobel Hurll, Jack Migdalek, James Fox, Jerry Manley, Jess Conrad, Jim Dunk, John Aron, John Gordon, John Greaves, John Willet,Johnny Edge, Johnny Hutch, Johnny Shannon, Joseph McKenna, Julian Firth, Kelvin Carter, Kenny Linden, Kim St. James, King Masher Fontaine, Kirsty Davide, Les Saxon, Lionel Blair, Lorna Gray, Lucille Gaye, Madeleine Lawrence, Mandy Rice-Davies, Michael Ho,Michelle Thorne, Mo Bright, Neil Patterson, Oke Wambu, Olivia Komlosy, Pat Hartley, Patsy Kensit, Paul Fairminer, Paul Leonard,Paul Rhys, Paul Telford, Peter Jessup, Peter-Hugo Daly, Peyton Martin, Ray Davies, Richard Bodkin, Robbie Coltrane, Robert Austin, Robert Grimsey, Robert Grose, Robin Martyne, Roland Alexander, Roland Brine, Ronald Fraser, Sabra Williams, Sade, Sandie Shaw, Shanti Ruchpaul, Shaun Alexander, Slim Gaillard, Smiley Culture, Steven Berkoff, Sylvia Ellis, Sylvia Syms, Timothy Brennan, Tom Lock,Tony Hippolyte, Tony Kemp, Trevor Kelly, Tricia Lockhart, Val Joeph, Vince Debono, Viv Law, Warren Bird, Wayne Fowkes, William Perrie, Zoot Money
