Sadly Over-hyped

An unexpected masterpiece

Absolutely amazing

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

9/18/17. Maybe 2 1/2 stars. This is a good movie about teenage angst. It about an angry young teen who can't seem to sort his life out. And always feeling like a slacker and failure he prides himself in making just enough money to support his motorcycle. But, that is just not enough that he is close to self-destruction. That's the basic idea. The soundtrack is good, filled with '60s pop hits, and of course, some WHO music as well. I would have liked more WHO music and better character development. But, you get what you get - a somewhat unsatisfying ending.

All Things Considered, this was not an Easy Thing to Pull Off. It was made "out of time", Fifteen Years after the Considered Events. Unlike say, Rebel Without a Cause (1955), or The Wild One (1953), and more like American Graffiti (1973). But the Filmmakers Managed it quite well and the Result is this Cult Movie, an Excellent Homage to the Pop Cultural Scene in Britain circa 1965.The Movie has an Unassuming, Unintrusive Style that is Never Heavy Handed and it is a Delight to Watch as this Time Warp is Laid Out in an Obvious Labour of Love. It is Distinctively British and the Central Theme of the Mods vs Rockers might Elude some who are not Familiar with, or Involved in Youth Movements and Music Influences.But the Driving Force is Universal and Timeless. Teenage Angst, Rebellion, and Alienation is Felt by Everyone, Everywhere. 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. A Stunning Accomplishment from the Director and Everyone Involved in this Low-Budget, but Engaging and Enduring Film.

In my opinion the greatest movie of all time. A great cast including Phil Daniels, Leslie Ash and a young Mark Wingett, of The Bill fame. Along with one of the best movie soundtracks ever, I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone. One of the greatest scenes, the fight between The Mods and The Rockers on Brighton beach, just adds to the drama and grips you to see the outcome. It took me a few times to watch it to decide if Jimmy was meant to have killed himself at the end, but I think when he throws Ace's scooter off the cliff, he was throwing away the whole Mod lifestyle and went back to London to sort his life out. Just a superb movie from start to finish.

I first seen this film as part of a double header backed with "The Kids are alright" by the Who....what a combination eh?! I immediately became a mod and indulged in many a Vespa, Lambretta and a fantastic way of life as a teenager. The story is very straightforward....it's about a Mod called Jimmy and takes us on his journey through everyday life in the mid 60's. There are many highs and many lows, the acting from a then virtual "bunch of unknowns" is fantastic, many went on to become well known faces on TV and film. The only down point of the film for me? I have to say, in one word, Sting. In my opinion he is seriously out of place as "Ace Face"...i was never keen on his acting (or singing!) but i feel he is the weak link here. 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. Quadrophenia is quite simply top class entertainment