Review of Beautiful Thing (1996) by Aaron D — 24 Jun 2007

My first positive "gay film" experience. Perhaps I'm biased toward it because I first saw it in a time when I hadn't exactly been exposed to the real world. It's message is pointed.

Nice to see a "gay" film reach beyond the usual gratuitous use of camp. The use of music only brings depth and dimension to the film. Having read the play, the cast was as perfect as I could have imagined (with most of the original cast being used here as well).

While it's not at all prophetic and such, it's a gem. I need this film now, as much as I did when I first watched it. I think I have a fairly good idea of what great film is, and while this isn't "great cinema" (and albeit a tad unrealistic) it will always be a favorite in the heart of this romantic.