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Amos Lassen wrote on 02/09/2011:

“ BEAUTIFUL THING”
A Beautiful Movie
Amos Lassen
“ Beautiful Thing” (Sony Classics) is a beautiful movie. It is one of those great British dramas that is positive throughout despite the sad and grim environment in which it was filmed. It is true-to-life and a wonderful social commentary on the English working class. An interesting study of self-discovery and teen love, “ Beautiful Thing” ranks high on many lists of gay films. The characters and situations are realized fully and each scene is virtually a true picture of the times in which it was made. It is a personal film as it unravels the tale of the coming out of a young teen and that is what makes it so special.
Living in a south-east London housing estate, Jamie is an unpopular guy and avoids school so as to not have to play football. Living nest door to him is Ste, a more popular kid who suffers violence at the hands of his father and brother. The violence brings Jamie and Ste together and as they grow more and more attracted to each other, they begin to fall in love which the end of the film shows with such grace and beauty. The movie looks at the trials and tribulations of coming to terms with sexuality and the fear of others learning about it—Jamie’s fear of his mother’s knowing and her complete defense and loyalty and Ste’s fear of reprisals from his family.
The most beautiful thing about the movie is learning that although gay people are different, we are not bad. Additionally the movie gives a sense of gay pride- - a gay movie with a happy ending is a joy, Jamie as the shy and nerdy unsure lad and Ste as the popular yet insecure, frightened, abused boy show how two different worlds can come together.
There are some wonderful scenes in the film. When the two boys are alone in the woods with nothing but each other and fantastic music, the cares of the world seem to disappear. Likewise the scenes between Jamie, Ste and Jamie’s mom are moving and beautifully done.
For a young man coming to terms with who he is, this movie is perfection—it is honest, it is beautifully written and the direction is amazing.
The actors are amazing. I think that most of us can relate to Jamie. He isn’t interested in sports and is exceptionally wise. He is comfortable with his sexuality and doesn’t care what others may think of him. Ste is the opposite. He is afraid of his brother and his father and his own insecurities and inner demons are always with him. He is ashamed of his sexuality and denies it.
“ Beautiful Thing” is a simple movie but it is beautifully satisfying. The way the script dealt with teen homosexuality is literate and smart and every time the movie gets little heavy, a comic relief is provided. The characters are complex but not too complex and there are no perfect ones.
The accents are a bit difficult to understand at first but as the movie progresses they become almost musical. Even though the movie is now fourteen years old it is still timely and unique with a real-to-life feel. It will tug at your heart and you may shed a tear or two but the tears will be tears of joy for having seen such a beautiful film.

Musss7 wrote on 04/30/2008:

I just want to say that this is one of my favourite movie of all time... I love the casts, the storyline and the music. It's just very perfect... After watching this movie for the first time last week, I even cut my hair just like Ste...

Janorm wrote on 03/12/2008:

This has to be one story line that is not only is very poignant but all so very true-to-life, especially in todays live for today attitude world. Call it overly sentimental, the film still gets its message through, love knows no bounds! Take the one dearest to your heart to see the one!! A must have for the Gay Cinema Collection! SUPERB CRAFTMANSHIP!!!

BMOREMAN wrote on 05/28/2007:

I discovered this movie on LOGO. A truly poignant portrayal of the angst surrounding coming out experienced by two adolescent boys in working class London. A must-see for all open minded film viewers.

paganiniboy (franzlisztboy@hotmail.com) wrote on 08/19/2004:

This is a great movie for the whole family. You can't usually say that about most other mentionable gay movies. I'm going to have my heterosexual friends over to watch it as well. It's a great movie with a great lesson. The ending is the best in any gay movie I've seen.

My only problems with this movie is that it could have focused in on the development of the gay relationship between the boys a bit more and less on the mother's life. But when you think about that, the content makes up for a movie that everyone feels comfortable viewing. The lack of relationship development between the two main characters and obvious situations (just "randomly" sleeping in the same bed at night) seem to do more to work the family theme of this movie, rather than milk the story for what it's worth and possibly win more awards.

But overall, it's the best gay movie I've seen since The Object of My Affection. The "gayness" of the movie is light, but enough to leave a positive impact on the audience and should be comended.