Absolute Beginners

The film, released in 1986, is a “stylized allegory of youth vs. the establishment” (quoting Wikipedia) in the 1950s in Britain.  Though done in the form of a musical (including songs by David Bowie, Sade and the Kinks' Ray Davies as well as others), it includes serious commentary on race relations in Britain in the 1950s (which were not so good), English fascists (the Brits do love to poke at their fascists), and advertising exploitation. David Bowie, who in real life knows how to exploit his image, plays the manipulating advertising executive. Patsy Kensit, who was later to appear with Bruce in Full Eclipse, plays a fashion model who lets herself be exploited and later comes to regret it.

Bruce’s role as Flikker, the neo-fascist thug who leads a “gang of teddy boys,” is the standout character in the film and it’s not just us who think so. His role as the strutting racist/fascist thug brought him rave reviews. He oozes arrogant sliminess not only with his words but his whole body. He poses, he struts, he threatens, his entire presence so menacing…Delicious!  The intensity he puts into the role, especially in the scene with the fascist leader (played by Steven Berkoff, later to appear with Bruce again in Riders) and the fight scene with the hero Colin (Eddie O’Connell) is riveting.  When Flikker is in the scene, you can’t take your eyes off him even if you are not a Bruce Payne fan.