Beautiful Thing

Today i watched a film called "Beautiful Thing", which was released in 1996 and released by Channel 4 Films. It's an adaptation of a play and that kinda showed through in some scenes, like some where Jamie and Ste were just talking their acting felt like i was back in drama in year ten and watching two boys perform an awkward scene. But that kinda added to the film i guess, it felt more real and as if i was watching real life people and not glammed up over dramatic bull. Also the fact that it's set in Thamesmeade and Greenwich and at one point on the radio you hear them speak of Shooters Hill and Bexley is just like "wow that was filmed near us!"

But, overall the film does live up to it's tagline "an urban fairytale" - filmed mostly upon council estate full of towerblocks and typical "common" south london people i've gotta say that given the areas and people i've grown up around; most of the characters in the film i could pair with somebody i know in terms of personality. >:]

Overall it is just a big soppy romantic story about first-love filled with rough pasts and the odd domestic which im sure most people would enjoy, unless your a homophobe. It does deal with coming to terms with the boys love for eachother, the consequences from their close-minded council estate community and their sexuality and stuff. Without being stupid and overdramatic like American "gay" films like Brokeback Mountain. It's a good representation of London and the struggle and secrecy that alot of gay people probably feel if they don't have the most accepting family and surroundign environment. But it deals with it well and although the plot-holes aren't really sewn up at the end, it ends upon an optimistic note and i couldn't have asked for a better film.


The black nextdoor neighbour absolutely made me die though HAHA, i haven't laughed so much at a film in so long! Leah is the black teenage girl living on the same row of flats ad the two boys and she's always drugged up out of her head, and blasting out Mama Cass at full blast, dancing around with face cream on and cussin Jamies mother, such a funny breath of fresh air throughout the film! She reminded me of quite a few people i know, which just made me laugh more. But being able to identify with characters in a movie is good eh?


Also the happy 60's soundtrack present throughout was brilliant, mainly Mama Cass songs but nontheless it works well.


So yeah, if you haven't seen it and you like the sound of it then go watch it!
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