Film Reviews by PW

Subtitled “an urban fairytale”, “Beautiful Thing” is set in Thamesmead, the brutalist concrete council estate in south-east London, a lot of which has now been demolished and rebuilt. It’s an unlikely setting for a romantic comedy and tender coming-of-age story, but it works. Telling the tale of shy Jamie and sporty Ste, two adolescent lads living next-door to each other who strike up a relationship under difficult circumstances, it’s a strong, funny, heart-warming, non-schmaltzy, down-to-earth, life-affirming film. It’s understated and sensitive, yet somehow also bold, brash, cheeky, defiant and, at times, hilarious.

In a way, stylistically it’s a combination of a Ken Loach, a Mike Leigh, Eastenders and an Ealing Comedy, but really, it’s its own thing entirely – it’s unique. The light-hearted and the serious thoroughly intertwine – in fact, they turn on a sixpence, constantly. There is always a comedy moment to diffuse tension, and vice-versa. Also, there are no ‘good’ or ‘bad’ people – just people, with failings and merits.

I love everything about this film: the screenplay; the largely-unknown (at the time) ensemble cast and their performances; the direction; the cinematography; the use of location, design and colour; and not least of all, the music, which raises things to another level entirely. When I first saw “Beautiful Thing” at the cinema back in 1996 it was a total game-changer. It was streets ahead of anything that came before it (or anything since, really), with a positive, uplifting ending in a knockout final scene that said “up yours, world”!

Despite the central theme, I wouldn’t really categorise this as a ‘gay film’, not in the ‘minority interest’ sense anyway – its appeal is much broader than that and the other central characters have their own stories. There’s virtually no nudity, there’s no sex, and although bullying, violence and drug-taking are all in the mix, they are mostly alluded to, rather than shown explicitly. The only thing I think could have warranted the ‘15’ certificate is the fruity language and granted, there is plenty of that although it’s never gratuitous. In fact, I think it’s one of the things that helps what seems a highly improbable turn of events become believable.

I know I’m not the only one who would say this film changed their life and still affects them today, and that’s not an exaggeration. How many films can that be said of? Here was permission to refuse to be told by anyone who to be, and that it could be OK to just be yourself as long as you had allies around you.

“Beautiful Thing” is not flawless by any means, but hey, no big-budget blockbuster is perfect either. Besides, perfection’s overrated. Yes, it’s very much of its time, but it hasn’t dated in the way so many things do – its themes are universal and it still seems fresh and relevant today. I’d go so far as to claim it’s a true classic that should have won more mainstream recognition. It’s just such an easy watch, such an enjoyable way to spend an hour and a half, and pretty much guaranteed to put a smile (and maybe a tear) on almost anyone’s face, if they’re willing to let it.