Beautiful Thing [IMPORT]

Rating:
Summary: A Truly Beautiful Movie
Review: Loved this movie to death...I was a Jamie in school, always getting picked on. Ste is absolutely gorgeous. During the kissing scene in the park, I saw the best same sex kiss ever on screen.

HINT: If you can't understand the British accent, try using the closed captioning for the first couple of viewings....the same with GET REAL.

Rating:
Summary: Great movie... What about a sequel?
Review: I won't go into all of the details of the movie. Many have already done a superb job. I would like to suggest that there be a sequel to the movie. Perhaps we could see both guys some years later... perhaps they had broken up years ago only to reunite and once again find true love? Does anyone know how to get in touch with the director of this movie or it's actors? If you do, my email address is [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: Required viewing for everyone
Review: It is my honest opinion that if everyone saw this movie, there would be a lot less homophobia in the world. I really do think it should be required viewing in high schools across the country. It would clear up a lot of misconceptions about what it's like to grow up gay. Plus, only the most hard-hearted wouldn't root for Jamie and Ste, the two adolescents realizing their sexuality and their attraction to each other. In fact, just thinking about this movie makes me grin from ear to ear. You'd be hard-pressed to find a film - gay, straight, independent or big-buget - that's as honest, as witty or as open-hearted as this one. Also, the performances are spectacular. Scott Neal and Glen Berry perfectly capture the ache, joy and fear of two kids falling in love. And Linda Henry, as Jamie's mom, is awesome. Tough, funny, tender - she has the acting chops to go far. The soundtrack, courtesy of Mama Cass, is phenomenal and there are moments that are breathtakingly romantic. My two favorites are the seduction via Body Shop massage lotion as "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" plays in the next room and the two boys' brief chase through the woods that ends in a passionate kiss under a tree. Sigh. The only negative thing I can say about "Beautiful Thing" is that it may make you feel wistful that falling in love that way had happened to you when you were a kid. But see this movie. And when you're done, make a friend see it and tell them to make another friend see it. I guarantee they'll like it. It's a great film that more than lives up to its title.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful!
Review: I really enjoyed this movie. It's plot is a bit standard, two boys next door to each other fall in love. It's the way they fall in love thats so cute! Instead of other movies where they immediately hop into bed, Beautiful Thing actually shows two gay teens falling in love and having a bit of ROMANCE! Throw in a black girl that thinks she's Mama Cass, a schitzo for a mother, and drop it in the UK. If you've seen Get Real and felt a little disapointed, this one will cheer you up! Its very up beat and just...cute!

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful movie, especially for gay teens
Review: As a gay teen myself, I had a bit of trouble finding an opportuniyu to watch this movie without my parents finding out. I ended up watching it alone in my basement with sound turned low and one ear open for the door leading down the stairs. And despite the cold hands and nerve racking tension, it was absolutely worth it. The movie follows the life of a young gay teen Jaime who live in an apartment complex with his single mother. His neighbor Steve (nicknamed Ste) is Jaime's romantic interest. Ste is a victim of domestic violence from both his older brother and drunkard father. The plot of the movie centers around the relationship that develops between Ste and Jaime, and the exploration of their sexualities.

The story is told with brilliant realism, and each character has a palpable feel and aura. Each character's actions are realistic and believable. Jaime's mother very obviously cares deeply for her son, and their relationship is believable as well. The soundtrack is superb as well; the tone and words of each song fit beautifully with each scene. This does not mean that the movie is without flaws. There are few confusing loose ends (Ste's involvement with drugs, Jaime's mother's boyfriend) that feel incomplete. The British dialogue and slang can be difficult to understand, and the film as a whole may be a tad on the optimistic side. However, a closer, more careful viewing may make some of these clear. And the fact that I am willing to sneak another viewing of this film despite the anxiety that goes along with it should speak volumes for the film. This movie was extremely uplifting. When I finished it, I felt like I was walking on air.

Bottom line: A great great romantic film. Not to be missed.

Rating:
Summary: Wow...what else can I say
Review: This is truly an incredible movie. Whether you are gay or straight (you won't enjoy it if you are a homophobe, and I feel sorry for you) you will want to see this movie.

I can't think of a more beautiful love story. The whole concept of a boy who is being abused by his dad and brother who finds love with another boy...Wow!

Well, I can also add that there is the stellar performance of Jamie's mother. She is a strong woman who has taken her lumps (quite literally), who now has to deal with what is many parents worst nightmare - a gay son. If for no other reason, you need to see her reaction and ultimate decision.

This movie is very british, and I suggest that you get somewhat familiar with british slang before you watch it because a lot of the humor will be lost on you if you don't understand the terminology. And for Americans (I am one) please, PLEASE watch this movie at least twice. You will find yourself picking up on dialogue that truly is hilarious and very aesthetic the second time around.

All in all, if you can stand a gay love scene (not sex, but a couple of 'hot' kisses), this is a must-see. I for one appreciated the respect and tenderness that the (to many of us) taboo relationship was treated. I can say for this movie at least, it is not about lust, but about love.

Wow....And this was a made-for-TV movie?

Rating:
Summary: Great movie ... hoping for a US DVD release!
Review: I didn't actually bought the version advertised here but the DVD copy that they had on Amazon.com.uk. I was tired of waiting for them (Sony Pictures Classics?) to release a US DVD version of this beautiful and moving story 2 people who found tenderness first as friend and then as lovers. Word of caution, the DVD copy that they have on the UK site did not have a lot of extra features on it so I'm still hoping that they would release it on DVD in US. I would gladly pay to get another copy of the DVD if they had a decent comentary track on it.

I don't really have any other versions of the film to compare it with the DVD copy but what I can see from the copy I got it was a fairly good transfer. The sounds were clear and crisp although having subtitles would help those of us who have difficulty understanding the accents. Picture quality and color balance was perfect as far as I can tell. The only peeve that I had was the lack of extra features for the DVD (that and the lack of subtitle feature). Lets face it ... for me that's what make buying DVD worthwhile.

What can I say here that have not been said by others about the story? Reading through the reviews, it is a general consensus that it is a great story which I totally agree. I'm kind of a fan of these coming out/coming of age stories both gay and straight so I really enjoyed the DVD.I feel that I can relate to some of the experiences that these people are experincing not because I'm like them but because the issues of longing, love, fear and wanting acceptance are universal. So it doesn't matter if you're gay or straight, you will definitely enjoy the movie.

The only thing that I was a bit dissapointed was the ending. It was sweetly done and hopeful and all that but it left more than a few questions unanswered. But I guess as an audience that by that time would have totally fallen in step with the main characters, Jamie & Ste, we simply don't care. We just want to be with them as they bask in their own acceptance on who they are and who they love.

The DVD is a worthwhile addition to your collection which if you are like me would also include "Get Real" & "Billy Elliot" (all 3 make up my favorite movies from UK). Give it a try and enjoy the experience. I did and now Body Shop Pappermint Foot Lotion will always have a special meaning for me :)

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Triumph
Review: If you are tired of all of the stereotypical gay movies showcasing screaming queens, drag queens, AIDS, etc.....and want to see a fresh view of the gay experience, then look no further. The script, acting and direction is brillant! Although I label this movie as being "gay", it will surely be appreciated by both gay and straight viewers. The experience of first love by Jamie and Ste, realistically and convincingly portrayed by Scott Neal and Glenn Berry, is innocent and sweet. I especially enjoyed the performance of Tameka Empson as Leah, Jamie and Ste's neighbor, who is completely infatuated and possessed with the music and persona of Cass Elliott. By the way, Cass Elliott's music is timeless and is a fantastic addition to the film. A bit of trivia: The director, Hettie Macdonald, said the she was inspired by the Australian film, "Muriel's Wedding" (another one of my favorite films), because of the films great balance of comedy and drama and clever use of music. I feel that she achieved the same balance and much more with "Beautiful Thing". Enjoy this movie and share it with your friends and family!

Rating:
Summary: A movie for both gay people and straight people
Review: some people think that they cant enjoy a movie if they're straight and the movie is about gay people. i completely disagree with that. i'm straight and i loved every scrumptious moment of this film. i loved ste, the quiet one who's so unsure about himself. and jamie was wonderful, not pushing ste, but coaxing him along. this movie was one of few happy ending movies that involve gay people. i've seen one too many movies that end in gay bashing or people not ending up with the ones they love. this movie ends with mama cass singing dream a little dream of me, making you feel altogether warm and fuzzy inside. you're happy for jamie, ste, leah and sandra. its ends like a party, with nice clothes and champagne, music and dancing. and that's what life should be like a party. sadly enough, it isnt, but the ending to this film makes you feel like you could make your life into one.

Rating:
Summary: IT REALLY IS A BEAUTIFUL THING
Review: I stumbled across this film only recently and fell in love with it straight away, very realistic and very moving are just 2 of this films strong points. Director Hettie Mcdonald has made a superb film out of Jonnathan Harvey's original 1992 script, the 2 lead roles are played perfectly by Scott Neal and Glen Berry, 2 very talented young actors that unfortunately are seldom seen on British television except for an episode of prime suspect. This film takes you on Jamie and Steve's journey of first love and is very entertaining and funny as well as having several more serious moments that make you concerned for them. Only a slightly obscure ending stops me from giving this film 5 stars, but I still highly recommend it.