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Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: DVD Brand: Sony EAN: 9781404931879 Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC ISBN: 1404931872 Label: Sony Pictures Manufacturer: Sony Pictures Number Of Items: 1 Publisher: Sony Pictures Region Code: 99 Release Date: May 20, 2003 Running Time: 90 minutes Sales Rank: 13817 Studio: Sony Pictures Theatrical Release Date: October 09, 1996
Description: A pair of teenage boys growing up in a working-class neighborhood become aware of their homosexuality. While both were vaguely aware they might be gay, neither had ever acted on their impulses. Once they decide that they're attracted to each other, neither is sure just what to do. Winner of 4 International Film Festival Awards.
Amazon.com essential video: This absolute winner, based on a stage play by Jonathan Harvey and adapted by him, is a kind of enchanted, urban slice-of-life tale about a gay teen, Jamie (Glen Berry), who is in love with the boy next door, Ste (Scott Neal). Hampering Jamie's progress on the romantic front is his fear that his mother (Linda Henry) will find out, as well as concern over complicating Ste's existing problems. Beautiful Thing is a relationship movie, to be sure, but that description doesn't really describe the buoyant tone of this British television production. Democratic in its inclusive regard for each character (whether camera-pretty or not), the film--well-directed by Hettie Macdonald--is full of surprises. Chief among them is the terrific personality of Jamie's mum, a strong and independent woman who truly worries over and adores her son. But this is a movie involved in a kind of happy dialogue with itself: the tunes of Mama Cass, for instance, play a part in both the story and overall ambience, while a strategic placement of the Rodgers and Hammerstein chestnut "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" during an act of love is fun and exciting. --Tom Keogh
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - A Beautiful Movie
I ordered this by accident, thinking it was "A Beautiful Life." I liked this movie very much. I am not gay but am sympathetic. I think the movie captures an awakening love that neither character was suspecting. I liked all the characters and especially the music. I was not familiar with Mama Cass (I am a classical music lover) but I thought it was very appropriate for this movie. The ending was beautiful.
Rating: - Quirky characters in dismal housing find love at last
Jamie and Ste, neighbors in some very dismal housing in England, are teenagers with issues: Jamie's mom is a chain smoking bartender with a bad temper albeit a real love for her son; while Ste's dad and brother pound on him and leave him in tears. There's also an irritating neighbor who plays Mama Cass at full volume and sticks her nose into others' business. Jamie and Ste are drawn to each other at first for comfort and then for more, though there is nothing graphic shown, and no exploitation.
It's a beautiful thing when they finally come out about it to everyone in public, supported ... Read More
Rating: - Charming Coming of Age Story
This 1996 entry from the ever-inventive Channel Four Films, puts most (if not all) gay coming-of-age movies to shame. This charmer is the story of Jamie (Glenn Berry) and Steve (Scott Neal), two teens who are not exactly friends; not exactly enemies. Their bond is more their proximity than anything else. That and the fact that they both are beginning to feel that there has to be more to life than the projects of South London. Jamie is the more studious, the more in touch with his emerging sexuality, the one tormented with taunts of "poof" and "queer". Steve, trapped in his flat with his physically ... Read More
Rating: - Open hearted and tender coming out movie
This did not get rave reviews on its original cinema release and while it did respectable business on the art house circuit never made a major commercial splash .Yet this warm ,tender and unassuming movie has lasted long in the popular affection .It is competently directed and has the strong cast and solid support actors that have always been a feature of UK cinema.Yet its popularity is not solely down to these factors but rather to its generosity of spirit.It is not profound.It is not sophisticated .It is the cinema as comfort food and its world is the world of everyday struggles and quiet triumphs ... Read More
Rating: - Very cute and touching
I'm one of those people who thinks most gay movies are silly and stupid. I'm pleasantly surprised when a film is funny and touching. It's hard to make a gay film without using stereotypes, and this film is just fun to watch and enjoy.
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