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Beautiful Thing
Great Britain - 1996
Directed by Hettie McDonald
The grey tower blocks of a Thamesmead council estate are an unlikely setting for a love story, but this film is a story of triumph over prejudice in more than one sense (it shows that happiness can shine in British films that don't have Hugh Grant in them). Leave Ken Loach behind for a moment, as we enter the world of Ste and Jamie...
Jamie, unpopular at school, lives with his mother Sandra, in a concrete council block in London. On one side lives Ste and his violent father, on the other Leah (who thinks of herself as the next Mama Cass), and her exasperated mother. When Ste gets one too many beatings from his Dad, Sandra offers him shelter in her flat sleeping top and tail with Jamie. This acts as a catalyst to the romantic relationship that Jamie and Ste develop.
Jonathan Harvey's acclaimed play, an enjoyable combination of fantasy and gritty reality, makes a successful transformation to screen. This is largely thanks to the direction of first-timer Hettie McDonald, the superb acting from the three central characters: Ste (Scott Neal), Jamie (Glen Berry) and Sandra (Linda Henry) and the witty, touching dialogue of Harvey's writing.
The beauty of this film is the attention and the tenderness paid to the intertwining subplots: Sandra trying to get a job as a pub manager to make a break for it; the relationship between Sandra's dippy-hippy boyfriend and Jamie; Ste's parental abuse and Leah's expulsion from school. All are given space to breathe and add extra laughs, seriousness and character to the central romance.
Straight, gay, bi, lesbian, celibate, bestial or none of the above, see this with your girlfriend, boyfriend, mates, or even your mother This film will show you that love can be a very beautiful thing indeed.
Runtime: 90 Minutes
Review by Scott M Keir
Taken from EUFS Programme 1997-98
Copyright © 1995-1998 Edinburgh
University Film Society
Guest Comments
From: "astroboy"
"i cant express how much i appreciate this film. i was shocked at first but as the film went on,, i was impress. The film was as typical as other love stories, but this is really smashing. its my first time to view a film of this genre, i thought im gonna regret viewing it but i was wrong. the film really got me. i even spent my week allowance to buy a DVD so that i could enjoy it more. i can view it anytime i want.i cant think of a deserving word for the story. i really wanna thank the person behind this film... ""you are really talented."". as for those who havent seen the film yet, think twice! dont be left behind."
From: "RICK MUSE"
"I JUST RECENTLY SAW THIS MOVIE. IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT. I GET SOOOOO VERY TIRED OF WATCHING YOUNG GAY COMING OUT MOVIES WHERE AT THE END ONE OF THE TWO MEN INVOLVED ALWAYS DENOUNCE HIS HOMOSEXUALITY AND YIELDS TO SOCIETY AND LIVES HIS LIFE AS STRAIGHT. IT WAS GREAT TO FINALLY SEE LOVE CONQUER, ESPECIALLY GAY LOVE. I WISHED I HAD AN E-MAIL ADDRESS SO I COULD WRITE TO BOTH ACTORS WHO PLAYED JAMIE AND STE TO COMMEND THEM ON AN EXCELLENT PORTRAYL. AND MY HOPES FOR A SUCESSFUL CAREER TO EACH OF THEM"
From: "Jeremy"
"I am glad there is a movie like this out there for gay youth struggling with coming out. I think everyone, not only gay youth, should see this movie to see how it is for gay youth. The movie is funny at times and very touching as well."
From: "Kevin"
"I cannot tell you how many times I have watched this film. In my personal opinion, it's the cutest gay romance of a masterpiece I have seen thus far. Hell, it even tops ""Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss!"" When I first rented this movie, I noticed the cover thought 'hmmm...two guys dancing..this looks good,' but what I did not expect was to feel so at home with the film. It took me through pieces of my life as they were projected onto the screen. The forbidden chemistry between Jamie and Ste was pure eye candy, while wit-smashing Sandra begins to catch onto her son's sexuality. But the character that stole the show would be Leah. I had never laughed so hard when something so wacked out as the respectful Mama Cass began to take over her personality during a drug trip. I'm ever greatful that Hettie MacDonald cranked this wonderful, heartfelt dramedy out of the tired movie-making machine. The films about homosexuality these days just seem to lose their shine once it is watched. But 'Beautiful Thing' will shine on in my film collection; eager to be watched again and again."
From: "Frederico"
"As tender and touching as you would never expect this kind of movies could be. The actors are just great, and... see it!!"
From: "Edward"
"Beautiful Thing's just that. It's 90 minutes of unaldulterated drama with dashes of comedy and huge servings of compassion and sensitivity. Glen Berry and Scott Neal have embodied two teenagers embarking on a blooming gay relationship that flowers into maturity with very few thorns to be found. I enjoyed it very much. I think others will, too."
VHS NTSC
Item#: GBR002-1
Price: $59.95
All videos available from 1-World Festival of Foreign Films are in VHS-NTSC and Region 1 DVD formats
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