Review of Beautiful Thing (1996) by Matt W — 16 Jul 2013

This light-hearted coming-of-age story focuses on Inner-city school boy Jamie, (Glen Barry) who doesn't really fit in with the footy lads at his school and regularly bunks, going back to his grimy high-rise flat. Thanks to his potty-mouthed yet sympathetic mother Sandra (Linda Henry,) Jason is made to top-and-tale with his neighbour Ste (Scott Neal) who's seeking asylum from his over-aggressive father and brother. This intimate setting leads to the two young lads discovering feeling that they never knew they had before, which in 90s South London weren't all that accepted. They find solace in each other that their family lives certainly were not providing.

Laughs are provided throughout by Sandra's well-spoken hippie boyfriend Tony (Ben Daniels) and the neighbouring diva-like Leah (Tameka Empson.) My personal favourite line was when Ste asked whether Jason fancied Sally from Coronation Street! This emphasises just how old the film is!

This film makes me glad that I grew up in the naughties and never had to where some the outfits doned in this film!

If you don't mind the cockney accents then this is a rather heart warming and thought-provoking film about homosexuality and family bonds, and the effects these factors have on each other.