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Beautiful Thing

R Released Oct 9, 1996 1h 29m Comedy List
92% Tomatometer 25 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Shy Jamie (Glen Berry) and athletic Ste (Scott Neal) are teen boys who live near each other in the London projects. Both boys think they could be gay, and finally explore their feelings when Ste is allowed to stay over at Jamie's place after an incident with his abusive father. There, the boys grow close and open themselves up to the idea of homosexuality, while Jamie's caring mother, Sandra (Linda Henry), and quirky teen neighbor, Leah (Tameka Empson), offer much needed emotional support.

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Beautiful Thing

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Critics Consensus

An engaging slice of life drama that happens to double as a gay coming-of-age story, Beautiful Thing captures its place and time with deceptive depth and skill.

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Critics Reviews

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Lisa Schwarzbaum Entertainment Weekly Rated: B Sep 7, 2011 Full Review Eric Henderson Slant Magazine Beautiful Thing might be the most beloved of all the gay-youth movies released in the late 90s Apr 27, 2003 Full Review Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times Because the film is so effective for its first two-thirds and because it has its heart in the right place throughout, audiences may be willing to forgive its final third. Feb 14, 2001 Full Review Joe Lipsett The Queer Gaze (YouTube) This slice of gay coming of age film is quintessentially British. Some elements haven't aged particularly well, but the film's use of Mama Cass, and the character's tentative steps towards acceptance are solid. Plus: Ben Daniels! Jul 10, 2024 Full Review Lee Hanson & Anthony Bell Our Own Community Press (Norfolk, VA) Beautiful Thing is a four-star mix of joy, discovery, survival, and humor. May 3, 2023 Full Review Nick Levine NME (New Musical Express) It's still heartwarming to see Ste (Scott Neal) and Jamie (Glen Berry), two teenage boys from a tough south London estate, fall in love and win acceptance from their friends and neighbours. May 10, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Michael V An urban fairytale. Beautiful Thing is a 1996 British romantic comedy film directed by Hettie MacDonald 🪩 It’s ok, but I feel mixed about this one 😉 I’d recommend it if you like this genre, but if not then probably give it a miss 👍🏼👎🏼 S Set during a long, hot summer on the Thamesmead Estate in Southeast London, three teenagers edge towards adulthood. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 06/01/24 Full Review Audience Member Such a nice movie. Cute plot. Not too dramatic but not underwhelming. Reccomend. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/05/24 Full Review Robson C Jaime e Ste são vizinhos em um conjunto habitacional em um subúrbio de Londres. Jaime foge das aulas de Educação Física e sofre bullying dos colegas. Ste é o típico atleta e todos gostam dele, porém na sua casa sofre violência nas mãos do seu pai e do seu irmão mais velho. Uma noite, a mãe de Jaime encontra Ste chorando e expulso do seu apartamento. Ela o acolhe e o convida adormir junto com seu filho. Aos poucos, os dois jovens vão desenvolvendo sentimentos um pelo outro. Temos aqui uma simpática e modesta comédia inglesa que trata da descoberta da sexualidade por dois garotos e o impacto disso na comunidade ao seu redor. O roteiro é muito bem escrito, com personagens bem desenvolvidos. E o nosso interesse acaba caindo nos personagens secundários: a mãe de Jaime que criou o filho sozinha e que tenta melhorar de vida, mas você percebe que ela é uma mulher que adora uma balada; Tony, o namorado da mãe de Jaime, que se mostra um homem sensível e preocupado com as pessoas ao redor e Leah, uma menina negra fã de Mama Cass, a melhor personagem do filme, muito bem interpretada por Tameka Empson. Sobre o elenco, ele é muito bom, não possui nomes conhecidos, mas todos entregam um excelente trabalho. É uma comédia, mas não espere dar gargalhadas. O humor está mais nas situações que permitem um sorriso. Algumas pessoas podem considerar que tudo é um pouco rápido, mas elas devem se lembrar que os personagens já se conhecem há muito tempo e que foi um evento que levou a descoberta de tudo por Jaime e Steve. A cena final encerra de maneira poética o filme, convidando a todos a se juntarem Jaime e Ste e sonharem um pequeno sonho com eles. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/04/24 Full Review PridePosterStudios “…cos it’s got a bloody great pink neon arse outside of it!” Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/24/24 Full Review Kyle S I don't know how I missed this film. For 25 years I've heard it is lovely. I heard a podcast with the writer and he was so charming I bought it immediately and I must say I love it. I did miss some dialog because of the strong accents but that wasn't important. I love a gay themed movie that does not end with tragedy. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/01/23 Full Review Deryk A Great coming out movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis Shy Jamie (Glen Berry) and athletic Ste (Scott Neal) are teen boys who live near each other in the London projects. Both boys think they could be gay, and finally explore their feelings when Ste is allowed to stay over at Jamie's place after an incident with his abusive father. There, the boys grow close and open themselves up to the idea of homosexuality, while Jamie's caring mother, Sandra (Linda Henry), and quirky teen neighbor, Leah (Tameka Empson), offer much needed emotional support.
Director
Hettie MacDonald
Producer
Tony Garnett, Bill Shapter
Screenwriter
Jonathan Harvey
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co
Channel Four Films, World Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 9, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 25, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.5M
Runtime
1h 29m
Sound Mix
Dolby, Surround
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