Absolute Beginners (1986)
Eddie O'Connell: Colin
Photos
Quotes
-
Colin : It was England all right, but very un-English. Every class. Every income. Every kink. Boys. Girls. Black. White. Yellow. Bent. Versatile. All on equal terms.
-
Colin : What, you going out with Suzette? Aren't you a little old for her, Henley?
Henley of Mayfair : I'm only 37.
Colin : 37? Ha. Around the waist, maybe.
-
[first lines]
Colin : [narrating] I remember that hot, wonderful summer. When the teenage miracle reached full bloom and everyone in England stopped what they were doing to stare at what had happened. The Soho nights were cool in the heat, with light and music in the streets. And we couldn't believe that this was really coming to us at last. Nobody knew exactly why. But after so many dreary years of bombs and blitz and slow rebuilding; no sugar, no jam, nothing sweet anywhere; with the whole English world dressed in gray, it seemed, forever. Suddenly life broke out in warm colors again, so young and beautiful that a lot of people couldn't stand to look at it. For the first time ever, kids were teenagers. They had loot, however come by, and loot's for spending. And where there's loot, trouble follows.
-
Colin : True, sometimes a knife came out. But that was always between friends. You behave yourself, you're all right here. It's not in Soho where some sex maniac leaps on your back and violates you. That's strictly for the respectable neighborhoods.
-
Colin : I mustn't throw stones. Especially not at Americans. Yanks invented teenagers! England for the English and all that. But, being anti-Yank's the sure sign of defeat.
-
Dido Lament : Do you know any authentic teenagers?
Colin : What are they?
Call-Me-Cobber : Teenagers are the new economic class. This is the age of a teenager. It's my aim. It's my ambition in life to bring pop culture to the masses.
-
Colin : They're just hooligans!
Mr. Cool : Listen! They're organized. They're an army now. They've a general behind 'em and they want to kick us outta your country!
Colin : What are you talkin' about? This is your country too!
Mr. Cool : You think so?
Colin : I'm on your side, Cool.
Mr. Cool : Oh, that's nice of you Colin. You don't know what side you're on. Truth is, Colin, you're on your own.
-
Colin : Money for looks. Money for film. But, most of all, money for Suzette. My beautiful Crêpe Suzette.
-
Colin : Me and my pals are regulars down here. Every night the same old young faces.
-
Colin : You don't get a girl like Suzette on the never-never.
-
Colin : It's not that I've got anything against money. It's just what you have to do to get it. Still, there's always tomorrow.
-
Colin : Home. Sweet and sour home.
-
Colin : Just look at these fame star virgins. Putting on the agony. Trying to sing like hillbillies. Just praying for Harry Charms to snap them up and sell 'em into pop slavery.
-
Colin : If this is adult life, I think I'll stay an absolute beginner forever.
-
Fabulous Hoplite : Dearie me, child, what are you doing here?
Colin : Socializing. Like everyone else.
Fabulous Hoplite : Everyone you hate. All the parasites are here!
-
Fabulous Hoplite : Dido, this is Colin. Colin is one of old London's hottest talents - with his camera.
Dido Lament : Well, honey, if you're so handy with this little thing, why don't you fix me up with a few party snaps?
Colin : What's the price these days?
Dido Lament : You do it for love.
-
Dido Lament : What he actually wants to know is, do you teenagers have an active sex life? Well, do you?
Colin : None of your business, nice bitch-girl.
-
Colin : It's funny, once you make up your mind to let go and sell out, its one damn check after another. Money at the best time to have it - when you're young and strong.
-
Colin : As for photography, well it isn't exactly difficult, is it?
-
Colin : Get your hands out of my trousers!
