DramaMusic

Quadrophenia

- A Way of Life

Based on the 1973 rock opera album of the same name by The Who, this is the story of 60s teenager Jimmy. At work he slaves in a dead-end job. While after, he shops for tailored suits and rides his scooter as part of the London Mod scene.

Release Date : 1979-09-14

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : PolytelThe Who Films

Production Country : United Kingdom

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Character Name : James Michael 'Jimmy' Cooper

Original Name : Phil Daniels

Gender : Male

Character Name : Steph

Original Name : Leslie Ash

Gender : Female

Character Name : Chalky

Original Name : Phil Davis

Gender : Male

Character Name : Dave

Original Name : Mark Wingett

Gender : Male

Character Name : Ace Face

Original Name : Sting

Gender : Male

Character Name : Kevin

Original Name : Ray Winstone

Gender : Male

Character Name : Peter

Original Name : Garry Cooper

Gender : Male

Character Name : Spider

Original Name : Gary Shail

Gender : Male

Character Name : Monkey

Original Name : Toyah Willcox

Gender : Female

Character Name : Ferdy

Original Name : Trevor Laird

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mother

Original Name : Kate Williams

Gender : Female

Character Name : Father

Original Name : Michael Elphick

Gender : Male

Character Name : Yvonne

Original Name : Kim Neve

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mr. Fulford

Original Name : Benjamin Whitrow

Gender : Male

Character Name : Danny

Original Name : Daniel Peacock

Gender : Male

Character Name : Agency Man

Original Name : Jeremy Child

Gender : Male

Character Name : Magistrate

Original Name : John Phillips

Gender : Male

Character Name : Projectionist

Original Name : Timothy Spall

Gender : Male

Character Name : Tailor

Original Name : Olivier Pierre

Gender : Male

Character Name : Cafe Owner

Original Name : George Innes

Gender : Male

Character Name : Harry

Original Name : John Bindon

Gender : Male

Character Name : Barman at Villain's Pub

Original Name : P.H. Moriarty

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mr. Cale

Original Name : Hugh Lloyd

Gender : Male

Character Name : Aggressive Rocker (uncredited)

Original Name : Jesse Birdsall

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mod (uncredited)

Original Name : Julian Firth

Gender : Male

Character Name : Posh Boy at Party (uncredited)

Original Name : Simon Gipps-Kent

Gender : Male

Character Name : John (uncredited)

Original Name : John Altman

Gender : Male

Character Name : Biker Girl (uncredited)

Original Name : Carol Harrison

Gender : Female

Character Name : Aggressive Rocker (uncredited)

Original Name : Gary Holton

Gender : Male

Character Name : Fighting Rocker (uncredited)

Original Name : Glen Murphy

Gender : Male

Character Name : Chief Rocker (uncredited)

Original Name : John Blundell

Gender : Male

Character Name : Chief Rocker Girl (uncredited)

Original Name : Linda Regan

Gender : Female

Character Name : Hairdresser (uncredited)

Original Name : Cy Town

Gender : Male

Character Name : Des (uncredited)

Original Name : Patrick Murray

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mod (uncredited)

Original Name : Peter McNamara

Gender : Male

Character Name : Tobacco Buyer (uncredited)

Original Name : Barrie Holland

Gender : Male

Reviews

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2024-02-20

Brought up indifferently by parents who couldn't care less, "Jimmy" (Phil Daniels) goes through the motions at work only so he can afford to live the life of a pill-popping "Mod" riding around on his beloved Lambretta scooter. He's in his element, initially, but the adrenalin rushes start to wear off and his search for more exhilaration takes him on a trip to Brighton where an all out battle ensues on the beach with the motor-cycling "Rockers". The results of that opens his eyes a little to the realities of life but now he struggles with adjusting and this leads to a sense of loneliness, isolation and even paranoia. The film is accompanied by The Who's eponymous soundtrack and it's at these points it is most effective, presenting a poignant and rather bleak look at pre-Thatcherite Britain that illustrates just how little hope there was for many and at how almost tribal existence could be on the streets fuelled with conflict, depression and confusion. At times it's a really intense and well focused drama and Daniels is ideally suited for his character. The rest of it is all a bit so-what, though. This hasn't aged particularly well and though maybe unfair to review 40-off years later, it's largely lost what impact it certainly had at the time and is largely devoid of even the darkest of humour to lighten the downbeat mood. Sure, it's brutal and violent at times, the language is honest and authentic and it depicts elements of racism and intolerance effectively, but the plot is a little like life itself. A meandering and frequently disinteresting series of occurrences that rarely merit remembering. It started many a career but somehow even that just seems to reinforce it's stereotyping analysis of society - as Franc Roddam saw it. It's to be commended for the intensity and clever use of hand-held photography but, perhaps because it is so London-centric, I just found it somewhat alien, over-rated and all just a little bit pointless. Maybe that was the whole point?