Quadrophenia

Plot synopsis:
The film, set in 1964, follows the life of Jimmy Cooper (Phil Daniels), a young London Mod. Disillusioned by his parents and a dull job as a post room boy in an advertising firm, Jimmy finds an outlet for his teenage angst by taking amphetamines, partying, riding scooters and brawling with Rockers, accompanied by his Mod friends Dave (Mark Wingett), Chalky (Philip Davis) and Spider (Gary Shail). One of the Mods' rivals, the Rockers, is in fact Jimmy's childhood friend, Kevin (Ray Winstone). An attack by hostile Rockers on Spider leads to a retaliation attack on Kevin. Jimmy participates in the beating, but when he realises the victim is Kevin, he doesn't help him, instead driving away on his scooter.A bank holiday weekend provides the excuse for the rivalry between Mods and Rockers to come to a head, as they both descend upon the seaside town of Brighton. A series of running battles ensues. As the police close in on the rioters, Jimmy escapes down an alleyway with Steph (Leslie Ash) a girl on whom he has a crush and they have sex. When the pair emerge, they find themselves in the middle of the melee just as police are detaining rioters. Jimmy is arrested, detained with a volatile, popular Mod he calls 'Ace Face' (Sting), and later fined the then-large sum of £50. When fined £75, Ace Face mocks the magistrate by offering to pay on the spot with a cheque, to the amusement of the fellow Mods.Back in London, Jimmy becomes severely depressed. He is thrown out of his house by his mother, who finds his stash of amphetamine pills. He then quits his job, spends his severance package on more pills, and finds out that Steph has become the girlfriend of his friend Dave. After a brief fight with Dave, the following morning his rejection is confirmed by Steph and with his beloved Lambretta scooter accidentally destroyed in a crash, Jimmy takes a train back to Brighton. In an attempt to relive the recent excitement, he revisits the scenes of the riots and of his encounter with Steph. To his horror, Jimmy discovers that his idol, Ace Face, is in reality an undistinguished bellboy at a Brighton hotel. Jimmy steals Ace's scooter and heads out to Beachy Head, where he rides perilously close to the cliff edge. Finally, he crashes the scooter over a cliff, which is where the film begins, with Jimmy walking back from the cliff top in the sunset back drop.

Tags: cult

Review:
A young man joins the British mod movement and gains a feeling of belonging and importance, but this makes him even more disenfranchised from his boring 9 to 5 life.Britain's answer to Rebel Without A Cause is based around a fair-to-middling Who concept album (they financed the movie too) and was made on a modest budget, but has far too much going for it to be ignored.
Especially if you are working class and come from the UK.(How it is viewed elsewhere is beyond my telling, but reading reviews on this site I get the impression that people from all over the world can relate to its central themes - even if the locations and accents are alien.)Director Franc Roddam was smart enough to cast a young Phil Daniels in the central role of Jimmy.
He has a boring job in the post room of an advertising agency (note the satire about pushing smoking - this is the "no health warning" 60's!) and rides around on a scooter with lots of lights on the front.Life, for him, is about getting through the day and partying at night/weekends to the hip sounds of the day - the non-Who soundtrack album is a taster to mid 60's Brit Pop.(His parents don't understand him either - but this could be taken as read in this style of movie!)As most of us know, and a few even tell Jimmy in the movie proper: Life cannot be all parties, cheap thrills and gang fights, but he doesn't seem to want to listen.
There is a good cast of British new wavers on show here: Leslie Ash plays Jimmy's love interest and Sting gets to be the "Ace Face" - the good looking top dog mod that Jimmy wants to be.
Watch as every important elements of a young man's (Jimmy's) life is stripped away, piece by piece, until he has no anchor, no magnet, and no direction in life.Without his familiar crutches (hooliganism, drugs, girlfriends, Mod clansmen, job, parents, home and 'scooter'), Jimmy is faced with a terrifying realization that he - alone - must completely rebuild and reinvent himself.In a way that is hard to describe in words, director Franc Roddam exposes the raw core of life, unadorned by all the temporal things by which we measure success, worth and happiness.
It's not even classifiable as a rock opera as a film, because it becomes a hybrid- it's part motorcycle flick, with some well staged, intense fight scenes, rumbles, riots, etc; it's part anti-establishmentarianist take on what it's like to be at an age when you don't know what to do you with your life, and outside of the pleasures of being with friends and kicking' ass you tend to be aimless or work for people you don't like.
It's also, major in fact, a psychological character study of one of these anti-establishment kids, a mod named Jimmy (Phil Daniels), who may be a little off balance in the head due to a fueling desire to be both with the excitement of his gang and with his need to find himself by himself, as well as to the "blues" pills.There isn't as much of a story as there is character development, which sticks true to the source material, written by the clever and driving force of The Who, Pete Townsend.
I'm just a bit too young to remember anything about the vicious Mods v Rockers pitched battles at Brighton or the Mod lifestyle (I'm not sure just how far north it made it up to Scotland, it always seemed to me principally a London-based movement).Nevertheless, the broader themes in the film of the generation gap between teenagers and their parents, the pain of rejection, youthful revolt against authority plus the less intellectual need for young kids to get drunk, drugged, violent and sexed up are universal and seemingly constant, which with the background of great 60's music, made for an engrossing and enjoyable if occasionally challenging watch.This is Phil Daniel's Jimmy Fenton's worm's eye-view of life in the mid-60's, working in a dead-end job, out of touch with his parents and although on the face of it, there doesn't appear to be much to rebel against, sure enough, he loses his way and his mind as he suffers rejection from his employer, said parents, would-be girlfriend Leslie Ash and after seeing his Mod Hero '"ace-face" played by Sting, meekly conform to society mores carrying bags at a hotel, he gets pushed over the edge (literally).
His only way out of the tormenting feelings he's experiencing for the first time sadly involve just a one-way ticket.The film adopts a realistic, warts and all approach, with no let-up in the levels of bad language used, scenes of drug use (although it is "only" pill-popping "uppers" or "blues" as they're called in the film) and of course the centre-piece of the film, the recreation of the infamous Mods and Rockers "Battle Of Brighton" of 1965.
Fan as I am, I could have done too without the too obvious genuflecting to the film's producers The Who (Jimmy putting on the "My Generation" single at a party, then gazing in awe at the band on "Ready Steady Go"), I guess he who pays the piper and all that.Central to the movie is a superb performance by Daniels as Jimmy, his mood-swings oscillating violently as he takes or comes off his pills, wired to the moon as we say today.
The iconography of its main protagonist has subsided to let the core sensibility of the movies theme shine thru, this is pure and simple a perfect depiction of fallen youth during a heady time, a tale of ones ideology crumbling so sadly over the course of one weekend.The period is captured vividly by director Franc Roddam, the stark threat of violence mixed in with the best music the 60s had to offer, serves to let the viewer feel they were there at the time, and the result is a perfect period piece.
He's a member of a posse of "Mods," a mid-sixties image- group that included quasi-Beatles-style clothes and haircuts, the use of Vespa scooters, and of course sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll.Jimmy hates the conformity as symbolized by his TV-watching, emotionally-detached parents and dreads the prospect of becoming an ice-cold working stiff.
In the end, he finally realizes the source of his anguish, and, without giving anything away, addresses the heart of the matter.Excellent performances in this movie (though the accents will be downright impenetrable for some viewers), great directing, strong writing, and of course it marvelously portrays the Mod lifestyle.
It just wasn't my thing and it's hard to love a film where you cannot stand any of the characters.A few final observations: I don't think it was unintentional that the leading man, Jimmy, sure looked quite a bit like Townshend.
I knew little to nothing about the 'mods' and 'rockers' of Swinging Sixties London and the fierce rivalry that bristled between them before going into the film, but Quadrophenia, Franc Roddam's film based on The Who's rock opera of the same name, completely immerses the viewer in their world.
While Richard Lester's film has the fortune of being made at the time this movement was thriving, it's light-hearted fare, albeit a terrific one.Quadrophenia doesn't pull its punches, and portrays the mods, in particular the young, alienated Jimmy (Phil Daniels) in all of their rough-and-tumble, amphetamine-popping glory.
It all builds up to a visit to Brighton where, along with super-cool mod Ace Face (Sting), meet up for a huge brawl with a gang of rockers.Backed by a terrific soundtrack from The Who, Quadrophenia recreates a fashion craze now long-gone, and does so convincingly with a real sense of time and place.
It was also a good film because of Sting (Ace).Not many people know about the Mods or what teenage life was like back then in 1963; so I'm glad that this came out.
If you want to know what it REALLY feels like to be young again, then this is for you.Phil Daniels gives the film's best performance as the tortured Jimmy, torn between doing things the way he always has and the growing emptiness inside of him.
He's dedicated to his mod friends, but is repeatedly let down by them and his way of life.It's not a flawless film, but it is the best example of a rock opera movie adaptation, and it keeps in the spirit of the brilliant Quadrophenia album.Transport yourself back to the mod days.
True, one might identify with the lead's impatience for the distance between he and his parents, or the mundane work detail as a mailroom clerk, or that he can't seem to hang on to the girl he desires whenever they meet, or the contest for attention between he and the 'head' mod (played with little emotion by Sting), but unless you want to watch a character drown himself in his miseries and not do much else, then you probably won't have much fun with this film.
QUADROPHENIA is a cult classic movie that explores the life and loves of a Mod living in Britain in the 1960s.
The lead character is played by Phil Daniels, a familiar face from British television, and he gives an exemplary performance as an awkward but likable youth struggling to grow up and make it in the adult world.Produced by The Who, QUADROPHENIA offers as its backdrop a portrait of 1960s era Brighton and the like, where battles between the Mods and Rockers are just around the corner and a great soundtrack generally accompanies the action.
I'll be the first to admit I'm not a huge fan of this era - I missed it by a long shot - but this likable drama paints a solid picture of the times.It's also remarkable as a "before they were famous" movie, featuring performances from the likes of Ray Winstone, Timothy Spall, Leslie Ash, Phil Davis, Michael Elphick, even Sting before they hit the big time.
I'll grew up with this movie and The Who at that time....I was very impressed when i saw this movie...It is still a good one, good acting and beautiful music....When i was on vacation in England i visited Brighton, and still there are hanging several pictures from the movie and The Who....pretty cool....I guess there are still in England groups like mods and rockersLater at the time i bought several editions from Quadrophenia on cd, and watch a concert from The Who, playing Quadrophenia....Quadrophenia is still very important for me....
I love this film for its simplicity and its absolutely brilliant soundtrack by the Who. Phil Daniels stands out as the mod who changes from disillusioned to moody and then almost psychotic as he gets the 5.15 to Brighton out of his head on pills.
Jimmy Cooper is a Mod (short for Modernist) and the film tells the tale of his life growing up under difficult circumstances - his family are working class, his girlfriend is an easy lay, his job is dead end and the only real thing thats keeps him going is his love for mates, his music, his scooter and his drug taking!
Phil Daniels gives a career defining performance that should had got an Oscar nomination as Jimmy who has a mundane job , boring home life with parents who do not understand him and lives for the weekend clubbing with friends, popping pills and getting into scrapes with his mates.Jimmy and his friends go off to a bank holiday weekend in Brighton, he wants to get close with girlfriend Lesley Ash, in awe to cool dude Sting and gets in a rumble with greasers.However Jimmy gets more disillusioned losing his job, friends and family.
Quadrophenia (1979)*** (out of 4)The Who's 1973 rock opera was turned into a feature film and centers on Jimmy (Phil Daniels), a teenager in the U.K. who deals with a wide range of issues but most of them surrounding growing up in the era.
It's one of those films that is part of the folklore, although in this instance purely in England (not even Scotland or Wales).Quadrophenia is totally English; music by The Who, the infantile Mods versus Rockers debate, all down by the seaside at Brighton (where I lived for a year in 1991-92).Jimmy is just a confused, childish 19 year old (played very ably by Phil Daniels), who gets a bit too obsessed with the whole Mod thing.
If you weren't around the time this film was set, you may get a certain novelty value from seeing the quaint mode of transport which the Mods favour!If psychological portraits of gang members appeals to you, this movie will please, as there is much on how Jimmy requires his gang to feel he has a place in this world.
The Joy here is the Affection for those who Identify with the Characters, or the Peek at a Foreign Face of a Familiar Theme.The Lead Performance of Jimmy is Spot On, and the rest of the Cast does a Fine Job. The Who Songs from the Double LP of the Same Name are Welcome if Inserted Uneasily on Occasion and the Songs that Play in the Film by Phil Spector and Other Post Elvis Top Forty Hits are used to Elicit Time and Place Effectively.Overall it is a Fine Dramatic Representation of Teen Gangs, Disenfranchised Youth, Generational Gaps, and Coming of Age Situations.
Phil Daniels is fantastic as Jimmy, the story rips along at a fine pace, the scenery, the music, the clothes....no wonder all these years later i still watch this film...and still own a Lambretta scooter.
But the major thing about the films I loved is the scene between Jimmy and his rocker friend (i apologize that i forgot his name) as they talked one night about theyre lifes and how one became a Mod and ones a Rocker.
Set in London (circa 1964) - (The way I see it) - "Quadrophenia" was something of a "rebel without a cause" story (geared for the lost, 60s generation).But, when it came to this particular wayward, little rebel (in the incarnation of Jimmy Cooper) - The emphasis on his 4-sided schizophrenia was more decidedly pronounced, yet not so seriously dangerous.As I understand it - "Quadrophenia" was something of a biography tale closely depicting (guitarist/songwriter) Peter Townsend's nostalgic youth (as a "Rocker") in London.And, in those glory days - It was all about dancing, romancing, drugging, and, yes, slugging it out with the "Mods" over control of territorial turf, and such.*Note* - (singer/songwriter) Sting (of the Police) makes a cameo appearance in the story as the belligerent teen-idol, "Ace Face"..
A film by, but not starring, The Who. If you expect this to be something like its stablemate (Tommy) then you'd be very much mistaken.The main character, Jimmy Cooper, is excellently portrayed as the classic mixed up youth, by Phil Daniels; whilst the film itself is a brutally realistic portrayal of a London mod caught in the midst of the antagonism between the mods & rockers in 1964.
A very fascinating and often too realistic movie dealing with young adult angst and british pop culture torn between music and mode of dress.Not to mention lightly the Scooter's Vs. Motorcycle angle.All this and more play out nicely in a finely crafted youth picture that is dramatic,compelling and brings to life the mindset of 60's british culture.The lead character,Jimmy,is a pill addicted young lad who is just crazy about his rocker style of music,but totally turned off by leather dress and Rockers {Motorcycle riding ,leather toting} opposites.Quite reminiscent of the earlier british motorcycle film ,1963 "The Leather Boys" which starred Rita Tushingham and also dealt with angst and motorcyle riding and conflict with family and friends.Since Jimmy loves fast and hard driving music,especially The Who,he nevertheless chooses to ride the much less fast and easier but fun scooter.Those Vespa scooter's were the rage in europe and still are in Italy and other gigolo infested countries.So we are taken on scooter driven and early rock tour of london and streets with an ocassional weekend trip to Brighton for much anticipated frolic and mayhem,driven also by way of Blues[Jimmy's drug of choice].Enter his many scooter driven and skirt-chasing friends to help keep lookout for foe {Rockers} and also keeping up appearances of cool demeanor.With trouble on the homefront,due to late night rampages and also at work with overly smirky behavior,he quickly needs more than pick-me-up for comfort.This movie is a good character study on release,due to environment and bombardment of influences,which always are peer present within the youth of almost any era.How Jimmy copes or is lacking,develops with each scene and compells his activities.The music is right on and very true to early british rock.Even,STING makes his presence known in first film as distant hearttrob who makes the scene with as much google-eyed anticipation and hysteria as any rock star could hope for.He does look quite dapper and cool in and amongst other Mods,as if he were their leader of sorts.He's the best dressed and rides fanciest scooter,and also has biggest temper except for our Jimmy,who also dresses with Modish flair and lives for confrontation.The chicks are on hand to head spin and help all the boys to keep their libido's active and alive.Jimmy is no exception here,except for pill crazed mentality and dependance.Which could more than help explain his late hours and attitude towards work and friends.I think this movie is quite splendid as misinterpreted youth vehicle for both my generation and those to follow.Hasn't become dated so far.
However it is still a strong film with a fine lead performance by Phil Daniels as Jimmy- a teenager for whom being a Mod is a way of life from which he doesnt  want to escape.
The film follows on the Who's 1973 album Quadrophenia which tells the story of Jimmy, a young MOD popping pills and out with his scooter riding mates.