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Beautiful Thing
- Director: Hettie Macdonald
- Writer: Jonathan Harvey
- Producer: Tony Garnett; Bill Shapter
CGiii Comment
The title says it all.
A benchmark for now and, possibly, forever.
It is a pity other film-makers are unable to replicate its sincerity and realism.
No big budgets, no special effects - Harvey's writing hits the target perfectly and MacDonald directs from a mothers' point of view - now, that is clever directing.
Both writer and director have slipped exclusively into TV - what a shame.
Watch this before you make your own coming-out film - you may change your mind and save us all from another boring depiction.
Peerless.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
A tender love story set during a hot summer on a South-East London housing estate. Jamie, a relatively unpopular lad who bunks off school to avoid football, lives next door to Ste, a more popular athletic lad but who is frequently beaten up by his father and older brother. Such an episode of violence brings Jamie and Ste together: Sandra (Jamie's mum) offers refugee to Ste, who has to 'top-and-tail' with Jamie. Hence, the story tells of their growing attraction for one another, from initial lingering glances to their irrefutable love, which so magnificently illustrated at the end of the film. In deals with the tribulations of coming to terms with their sexuality and of others finding out, in light of Sandra's unwavering loyalty and defence of Jamie and the fear of repercussion should Ste's family find out.
Cast & Characters
Meera Syal as Miss Chauhan;
Martin Walsh as Mr. Bennett;
Steven M. Martin as Ryan McBride;
Andrew Fraser as Jayson;
John Savage as Lenny;
Scott Neal as Ste Pearce;
Glen Berry as Jamie Gangel;
Julie Smith as Gina;
Linda Henry as Sandra Gangel;
Jeillo Edwards as Rose;
Tameka Empson as Leah Russell;
Anna Karen as Marlene;
Garry Cooper as Ronnie Pearce;
Ben Daniels as Tony;
Daniel Bowers as Trevor Pearce