Beautiful Thing [IMPORT]

Rating:
Summary: Variety of "Issues" Facing British Working Class Community
Review: The story focuses on a teenager struggling with his identity (he is long suspected of being gay by his single mom, as well as kids at school), finding nothing much enjoyable about his life in the working class "ghetto" he calls home. While other characters battle their own demons (a neighbor girl appears to be obcessed with her admiration for Mama Cass, another teenager is physically abused by an older brother and a drunken single dad, the main character's mom falls in and out of love with a string of boyfriends), the "star" eventually confesses his attraction to the boy who "sleeps over" whenever things get too rough at his own place.

The opening credits feature a perfectly suited song by Mama Cass. Throughout the film more of her songs beautifully envelop the scenes, the best one by far being "Make Your Own Sweet Music". With contemporary British working class backgrounds, the film focuses on the fears of "coming out", the social stigma placed on homosexuals, and the growing move for social acceptance. The final scene makes the strong staement "be who you are, nothing else matters, and if people don't like it, it's their problem."

This is a sweet film throughout. There are a few loose ends and some small details that did not add to the plot, thus should have been cut. I was not comfortable with the implication that the abused teen was a drug dealer, nor that a girl no older than 15 appeared to be promiscuous. These two "details" were gratuitous and should not have been included. In the end we don't know what becomes of the two "lovebirds", nor whether the mother would finally settle down. The man who showed sincere interest in her, was eventually brushed off without a reason. -- Those are the reasons for NOT giving 5 stars to an otherwise entertaining and heartwarming film.****

Rating:
Summary: Truly A beautiful thing
Review: This movie is excellent. I cried. You instantly fall in love with Jamie and Ste. They both touch your hearts and remind you of what you of what it's like to be gay during your teenage years. I recommend this movie for teenages especially so that they don't feel like their alone. The accents are a bit hard to follow but captions clear that right up.

Rating:
Summary: Simply Beutiful!!
Review: As one of my first gay films I would say that this was an exquisitly made film. Any gay person can relate to this. It is easy to see Ste and Jamie in all of us. At one point we are all afraid of admitting who we are and afraid of letting other people know who we are. This movie deals with what any gay, bisexual, lesbian, and questioning person goes through. I recommend this film for anyone who has ever dared to challenge "social norms."

Rating:
Summary: Queer and Quirky
Review: Fabulous acting and colorful characters surround two young lovers as they discover their feelings for one another. The music from Mamas and the Papas and the brit tone make this a definite must see.

Rating:
Summary: Still wanting to find my Ste or my Jamie....
Review: Simply... a Beutiful "fing"....

Rating:
Summary: Great movie... Bad DVD
Review: This is an excellent film on VHS. Nearly worn it out on tape. However, this DVD version is an import and a waste of plastic! I returned mine asap. Gonna wait for a REAL DVD version to be printed. for now, just buy the VHS version.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Things is more... its Awesome!!!
Review: WOW! What an awesome movie! I loved this one. This is a coming of age and love story all in one. It is great to see movies made regarding Gay characters that is not primarily about the sex but the person. I only wish it had been released in the US. Gotta love the British! They always get it right!!

This movie is set in England and follows the life of one particular boy, Jamie, and his neighbor in a housing development, Ste (short for Steven). Ste is sort of the more popular boy, while Jamie is shy. Jamie has come to realize that he is gay, and when Ste (who has a troubled home life) gets kicked out for the night and spends it with Jaime, he doesn't exactly keep this fact a secret from Ste.

It's an extremely heart-warming movie, which above all is cute. Very, very cute. It's got a little bit of the gay plight, a little bit of the coming out plight, and a nice message for gay's that think love between two teens of the same sex is too hard to handle, or outright impossible.

I highly recommend this movie for everyone, as it does not show sex scenes or deal with issues that are too mature (since every teen probably already knows about drugs and love).

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous Coming of Age
Review: I picked up this movie the other night when I finally had a break in my schedule. It looked like a feel good movie, and boy, was I right on. This is a wonderful coming of age story set in mid-90's England.

It is a story about a boy named Jamie, who is picked on and ridiculed by his peers. He begins to skip soccer, and his mother notices that he is not himself. While she is trying to figure out what is going on in his world, a boy next door has his own story.

Ste is a child in a single parent household. His father is a drunk and very abusive to him both verbally and physically. Ste winds up staying the night with Jamie, to get out of the house. Again, Sandra-Jamie's mother plays a role. She encourages Ste to get out of the house, and stay with them, essentially fostering the budding romance between Jamie and Ste.

As the story unfolds, Ste learns to trust, and Jamie learns to love, and the additional emotional support from Sandra makes the story very touching- who doesn't want a hug from their Mom when they come out?

And no good gay movie is worth its salt if there isn't the diva star best friend, in this movie it is Leah- another next door neighbor. She is a high school drop out who is obsessed beyond comprehention with Mama Cass. In fact, most of the movie's soundtrack consists of Mama Cass songs, a few even sung by Leah. Most of the time she isn't sober, but when she is, she adds true insight into the meaning of friendship. She's also a good comic relief.

The movie has an "R" rating, but mostly for strong language. The love in this movie is so tender-explicit scenes are not necessary to convey the message.

I really recommend this movie! Its a great excuse to have a "Movie Night" date!

Rating:
Summary: Makes you feel good inside!
Review: A "Beautiful Thing" is such an uplifting film which leaves you feeling good inside. It was actually the first movie, that I had ever seen that dealt with homosexual issues. Still now, this movie, in mine eyes, is the number one gay movie! Leah (Tameka Empson) gives the movie a blast of taste that leaves you laughing. The relationship that Jamie (Glen Berry) and Ste (Scott Neal) has is so innocent and pure love. "Just Refreshing"! Everyone should see this film at least one time!

Rating:
Summary: kind of dissapointed
Review: everything i read about this movie before i saw it built it up so much that i was disapointed in it after it was over. but its still a great movie