Saturday 29 February 2020

Quadrophenia (1979 Franc Roddam & co-scr)

Towards the end almost literally becomes a rock video of The Who's 1973 concept album - feels a bit draggy for it, but much of the film has an energy and sense of place that very much captures the feelings of disaffected youth, personified by Phil Daniels' angry mod.

Brighton clashes vividly brought to life (though had to laugh at Heaven Can Wait advertised in cinema in background). 1960s feel caught quite well through great soundtrack.

Was it shot (by Brian Tufano) in 4x3? That's the ITV broadcast print, at any rate.

Great cast comprises Leslie Ash, Phil Davis, Mark Wingett, Sting, Raymond Winstone, Garry Cooper, Toyah Wilcox, Michael Elphick, Kate Williams, Timothy Spall. Written by Roddam, Dave Humphries and Martin Stellman.

Had to laugh at Davis' moped which has fourteen mirrors; Sting's has about 27 headlamps. Also the former attempt to mess up a front lawn by driving his moped around it doesn't seem to harm the flower beds at all.



Anyway it was fun to go back there. Can quite understand why it's a favourite of Cameron Crowe (along with Local Hero, Control, La Regle du Jeu, The Royal Tenenbaums and (obviously) The Apartment).

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