Rating: 
Summary: Truly Beautiful - Touching - For Anyone Ever in Love
Review: A "beautifully done" movie! Set in London, this wonderful film is done in English with a marvelous accent. This one is from the UK. Based on the story line, it would never be done in America, we're too uptight. The movie centers around 2 high school age boys (Glen Barry as "Jamie" and Scott Neal as "Ste") coming to terms with their sexuality. Very tastefully done, this is not a sexual romp by any means. The movie emphasizes the pain of coming out as youth, the struggles and the successes. Slow moving at the start, the story follows the two boys living in broken dysfuntional families to their coming to terms of their desire for one another. Strong performances by most in the film, including the mother and several others. The music is also fun with much of it in memory of the great Mama Cass. I particularly enjoyed the scene featuring the song "Make Your Own Kind of Music". I think you will too. The ending is especially touching.
Rating:
Summary: Don't be surprised if you become addicted to this movie
Review: A witty film of great humanity which will put you in a good mood for at least a week, as well as take you back to the alternating fear and bravado of being fifteen. While grounded in social realism this has to be the ultimate feelgood movie, with Sandra Gangel as the classic stereotype-busting portrayal of a single mum doing her (considerable) best. It's a shame it's rated restricted in the States because it gives a misleading impression of the subject matter (there's nothing explicit, just some realistic South London language), and excludes the youngsters who'd most value it.
Rating:
Summary: A Real Gem !
Review: A wonderful film - based on ordinary working class people in Southern England - a coming of age film that taps into the emotions - great acting / great simple script / great characters / great Mamas and Papas soundtrack - a MUST SEE MOVIE .
Incidently - if you want a good copy on DVD - purchase from Amazon.co.uk - but you better have a multi region player
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful movie
Review: About two high school boys in a gritty urban housing project somewhere in London, the athletic Ste, who lives with an abusive father, and the quiet, shy Jamie, who lives with a no-nonsense barmaid mum; and there are other quirky characters, such as the crazy Caribbean gal-pal obsessed by Mama Cass Elliot, and the slacker dude with a heart of gold dating the barmaid mum. The love blossoming in the most unlikely of locations does not depend on eye-candy shots of high school hunks in swimsuits, like most "young love" movies (e.g., "Nico and Dani," "Get Real," "Come Undone"), but is driven by believable characters leading believable lives. They actually refer to themselves as gay and acknowledge the existence of a gay culture, again a rarity in movies of this type. The only thing I didn't like was the conclusion, in which the boys' anxiety over coming out seems downright silly as the adults clamor to show their support.
Rating:
Summary: The Beautiful Thing that needs to be brought to DVD
Review: All the great things you have heard about this film are true. The only thing it lacks is a decent DVD version to be released.
The Hong Kong version is awful ( I have seen parts of it at a friend's home). If you are looking for a beautiful film about two young people falling in love despite obstacles, this is your film. Forget that the lovers are two young boys if that bothers you. This film has all the reality and tenderness American films often lack. YOu owe it to yourself to see this film. And the studio owes us a decent DVD!!
Rating:
Summary: Sweet & poignant coming of age (and out) story
Review: An emotionally tender & wonderful coming of age film, "Beautiful Thing" is an essential addition to your "alternative" movie section. The story centers around Jamie (Berry) and Ste (Neal), 2 teenage classmates and neighbors in a working-class development in London. Jamie is a reserved teen sharing a normal relationship with his single, pub manager Mom (Henry). Ste lives an emotionally and physically abused life at the hands of his single father and older brother. What transpires between them is a very tender and emotional tale of first love and budding homosexuality. Awakening sexual desire, guilt, fear and, eventually, love is played out in an honest & sincere fashion. The entire cast is superb. As Jamie & Ste, Glen Berry & Scott Neal give their characters a sweet and emotionally accurate innocence... especially when joyously galavanting through a forest together and sharing a long kiss. Linda Henry is exquisite as Jamie's Mom, Sandra. She delivers a fantastic and multi-layered performance as a woman trying to deal with her own life, in addition to her son. As the Mamas & the Papas loving neighbor Leah, Tameka Empson graciously adds some needed turbulence (comically and otherwise). The script is heartfelt, comical (some moments between Sandra & Leah are a bitingly hilarious), and fresh. Definitely a wonderful comedy-drama and, perhaps, the best coming out film of the decade.
Rating:
Summary: Sweet & poignant coming of age (and out) story
Review: An emotionally tender & wonderful coming of age film, "Beautiful Thing" is an essential addition to your "alternative" movie section. The story centers around Jamie (Berry) and Ste (Neal), 2 teenage classmates and neighbors in a working-class development in London. Jamie is a reserved teen sharing a normal relationship with his single, pub manager Mom (Henry). Ste lives an emotionally and physically abused life at the hands of his single father and older brother. What transpires between them is a very tender and emotional tale of first love and budding homosexuality. Awakening sexual desire, guilt, fear and, eventually, love is played out in an honest & sincere fashion. The entire cast is superb. As Jamie & Ste, Glen Berry & Scott Neal give their characters a sweet and emotionally accurate innocence... especially when joyously galavanting through a forest together and sharing a long kiss. Linda Henry is exquisite as Jamie's Mom, Sandra. She delivers a fantastic and multi-layered performance as a woman trying to deal with her own life, in addition to her son. As the Mamas & the Papas loving neighbor Leah, Tameka Empson graciously adds some needed turbulence (comically and otherwise). The script is heartfelt, comical (some moments between Sandra & Leah are a bitingly hilarious), and fresh. Definitely a wonderful comedy-drama and, perhaps, the best coming out film of the decade.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Coming-out Movie Of All Time!!
Review: An exquisitely intricate tale, set in an ambiguous era (it all looks and feels to be the 1960's - particularly with the addition of a few classsic Mama Cass tunes - and yet plays like a 90's drama). Often hilarious, this touching tale resonates soundly in the minds of all who have ever fallen in love (be it gay or straight). The performances are all amazing, but particular attention must be paid to Linda Henry, who positively scalds the celluloid with her top-rate performance. Without doubt, a true British Classic!
Rating:
Summary: It's a beautiful thing.
Review: Any one who has been teenage and gay will love this movie. It is touching, funny, witty and the soundtrack is great! I am not someone who buys movie videos, but I had to have this one!
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.
| 
