Beautiful Thing

A film about the gay working class runs the risk of portraying two sets of stereotypes. But 'Beautiful Thing', Hettie MacDonald's sweet little movie, is lifted above mere cliché through the quirky humanity of its characters, and the atmospheric cinematography of the ugly-beautiful London overspill estate of Thamesmead. Unlike many "gay" films, it manages to display sympathy for its characters without becoming unduly celebratory (a tone that rarely makes for good cinema). In fact, it has something of the feel of a Mike Leigh film, although it's a lower key affair than most of Leigh's movies: a little less intense, a little less depressing, and a just little less funny. But that is, of course, to judge it against the highest of standards. In it's own right, it's a modest, but distinctive and highly likable film.

BEAUTIFUL THING is a unique drama - presenting an adolescent gay couple as complex individuals, within a greater setting (an English housing project) that also captures a bit of a slice-of-life feel. I like the working-class setting, and wasn't bothered by the accents - as an American it required me to pay attention - a good thing as there are many subtle details that make this a very rich drama.

It does tug at the heartstrings a bit, and it lays on the cuteness a bit more than it should, but I loved the characters anyway, and the setting and context (very nicely detailed film-making) keeps those minor gripes minor.

There have been so many cynical or clichéd gay dramas released during the last decade or two, especially in the US (gay film from elsewhere in the world often seems so much more fresh and lifelike) - in many ways this film was (and remains) a real breath of fresh air.

By the time this was released I was already in my 20's but still this tale of teenage love and awakening desire between these two boys stirred something inside of me and now in my 40's it still breaks my heart and how misspent my youth was, afraid of what others would think of me.

Such bravery in the story telling, so frank and honest in it's portrayal of a same sex love at that time - I adore this movie how ever dated it may feel now. The message still remains - Make your own kind of music !!

Great casting, wonderful soundtrack and, for a change for a movie about gay love, a happy ending !!

The film will always remain in my heart of what could have been for me xxx

A wonderful story of gay teenagers that is ideal for parents to show their children; so that they understand that gay people may be different, but not bad. Faithful to the play, great music score and gives a real feeling of English tenements.

Gay or straight, this is one of the finest movies ever made about self discovery and teenage love. Albeit the end is a little wishful and optimistic, the characters and situations are perfectly developed and realized, ringing true in almost every scene. This movie makes me smile on every level...from the way the two boys discover their affection for one another, the wonderful comedy relief from the next door neighbor Leah (and her relationship with the entire tenement population), and the perfect choice of soundtrack music from Mama Cass that, at times, seems written specifically for certain scenes and works on both a nostalgic and familiarity level. This movie gets better with every viewing...and I'd love to see what happened to each of the characters in a sequal.

This movie is, without a doubt, very personal to all gay men and women who came out during their youth and a favorite of all of my friends, both gay and straight.