Beautiful Thing [IMPORT]

Rating:
Summary: fantastic for the open minded
Review: this movie is definately for the uplifting aficianado. it is a powerful dramedy about life in england as a young gay student and dealing with many social issues that gay youths must deal with. it is an amazing story, definately one to own.

Rating:
Summary: Falling In Love
Review: Falling in love, having someoneto love, someone who loves you.It just doesn't GET any betterthan this. A special treasure.

Rating:
Summary: A fine little film with few peers for the genre
Review: BEAUTIFUL THING may be almost ten years old but the simplicity and honesty of the approach of a gay coming-out film is still hard to match. Director Hettie MacDonald has gathered a group of actors so fresh and real that the story seems more like eavesdropping than a movie.

Jamie (Glen Barrie) lives with his mum Sandra (Linda Henry), a blowsy, tacky, loud but heart of gold waitress, in a housing project. Jamie plays soccer and does all the right things - except he is a closeted gay lad who is forced to come to grips with that fact. He falls in love with Ste (Scott Neal) who lives next door to Jamie's flat and is regularly beaten by his father and brother. How these two come together and eventually move into the world more acquainted with their sexuality and its complexities forms the storyline.

The actors are all superb, including Sandra's boyfriend du jour Tony (Ben Daniels) and the hilarious Leah (Tameka Empson). But the performance by Linda Henry is a stand out: she finds the love in this brazen woman and allows it to surface. Likewise Glen Barrie's Jamie is wholly and palpably believeable.

If there is a fault with this film it is in the dialect of this London suburb: turn on the English subtitles so that you can understand what is being said! Grady Harp, January 2005

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely a must for any collection.
Review: I had read the reviews and decided to get it on a lark. I was so thrilled I did. In my opinion, this is a must-have DVD. The actors did a brillaint job, and I think every viewer will be able to identify with at least 1 character. I simply can't say enough good about it. It was so touching, heart warming, and humorous. It takes you through a range of emotions, and the ending is absolutely wonderful.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Thing lives up to its title
Review: This has to be my favorite movie of this type of theme. Two teenage boys, at first seeming like aquaintances and then friends, become lovers after one of them is abused by his father and brother and seeks refuge in the other boys home. While mother and boyfriend watch "The Sound of Music" in the adjacent room, the two young lads make love to each other. There is no sexual graphic context, just an implication of it as one of the boys gets out of bed, naked. This is genuinely moving love story because it deals with several issues. The single mother must choose between a covetted career and a stoner boyfriend who befriends her son. When the young couples secret is discovered, the drama becomes a little intense but it seems like the true power of family shines through. This is a wonderful movie because this is not a "stereotypical" film. HIV isn't really brought up and that makes more room to explore the love and friendships that begin to bloom. And... the final scene alone makes this one of the best romantic movies of all time. Beautiful Thing is as beautiful as its title so aptly suggests and it may take a while for another movie of this callibre to come along.

Rating:
Summary: A Truly Beautiful Film
Review: "Beautiful Thing", starring Linda Henry (Jamie's mom) and Glen Berry (Jamie), is a great gay themed drama for many to enjoy. It was released in 1996 and filmed in the UK. Its theme of two teenage next door neighbors who fall in love takes a further creative turn. The various plot details give this film further viewing depth, especially the numerous Mama Cass references, the mother struggling day by day, and Jamie's lover Ste's (Scott Neal) daily struggles. Therefore, this film is more than just a gay film. The expressed issues to its level offer the realistic education of everyday living, especially as a gay teen. Though, it also explores self-destruction, alcoholism, domestic abuse, and others.

Beyond this brilliant plot is potential acting from the cast, especially Henry. Her character's everyday living and emotional pain is wonderfully expressed. Her performance offers the highest emotional value of the film. Berry and Neal prove in their powerful performances that they have great potential for acting growth in the future. Both have various scenes that prove their true acting talents.

"Beautiful Thing" is a great film recommended for more than just gay teens. A variety of audiences will surely enjoy this. Those wanting more gay teen themed issues should also watch "Get Real" (1999). Such combination makes great entertainment pleasure.

Rating:
Summary: Great Teenager-Gay Flick!
Review: Cannot be better and sweeter. I watched it twice on VHS tape, but still bought the DVD. A great item in your collection. Highly recommended. A must-see!

Rating:
Summary: It really is a beautiful thing!
Review: Wonderful drama of first love set in British working class neighborhood! Powerful performances and very believeable characters. Low budget yet well edited.


Rating:
Summary: A Must See and A Must Have
Review: I wish they had had this film and play when I was younger. The story of Jamie, his family, his love and his difference is very powerful. The central character Jamie is in the process of coming out, and has an infatuation that deepens into love with his nextdoor neighbor and friend Ste. Jamie's life is a bit of a shambles given his mother (a single mother) who has a flighty but sincere boyfriend. Jamie's mother only wants the best for him, which is a far cry from Ste's family, headed by a single father, which also includes an abusive brother.

The dynamics of life in the government housing unit (called council housing there) is interesting, as all people have hopes but lowered expectations about what life can bring them; this is very much a teenager angst movie, and even the adults seem to be into it.

Jamie's mother should be a member of PFLAG, being at first shocked, but then very supportive. Ste's father and brother fall into line with the typical homophobic types. The rest of the world seems blissfully unaware of the major life events taking place, which in reality makes this film very realistic.

This is not a deep film, but it isn't really superficial either. It is honest and sincere in expressing the emotions and situations of the characters without making them cartoon cut-outs or political objects. But in the end, the message is political of a sort, and that is that we all have the freedom to run our own lives, including who we love.

This is beautiful.