| Beautiful Thing | |
|---|---|
Australian promotional poster for the film |
|
| Directed by | Hettie MacDonald |
| Produced by | Tony Garnett Bill Shapter |
| Written by | Jonathan Harvey |
| Starring | Linda Henry Ben Daniels Glen Berry Scott Neal Tameka Empson |
| Music by | John Altman |
| Release date(s) | 21 June 1996 |
| Country | England |
| Language | English |
Beautiful Thing is a film adaptation of the play of the same name and was released in 1996 by Channel 4 Films.[1] Jonathan Harvey who wrote the revised screenplay also wrote the original play. Initially, the film was only intended for television broadcast but it was so well-received that it was released in cinemas. The atmosphere of the film is heavily influenced by a soundtrack consisting almost entirely of the work of Mama Cass Elliot.
Contents |
The story is set and filmed on Thamesmead, a working class area of South East London dominated by post-war council estates.[2][3]
Jamie (Glen Berry), a teen who is infatuated with his classmate, Ste, has to deal with his single mother Sandra (Linda Henry), who is pre-occupied with ambitious plans to run her own pub and with an ever-changing string of lovers, the latest of whom is Tony (Ben Daniels), a neo-hippie. Sandra finds herself at odds with Leah (Tameka Empson), a sassy and rude neighbour who has been expelled from school, does several drugs, and constantly listens and sings along to her mother's Cass Elliot records. While Jamie's homosexuality remains concealed, his introvert nature and dislike of football are reason enough for his classmates to bully him at every opportunity.
Ste (Scott Neal), who is living together with his drug-dealing brother and abusive, alcoholic father in the flat next door, is one night beaten by his brother so badly that Sandra takes pity and lets him sleep over. In the absence of a third bed, Ste has to make do with sleeping 'top-to-toe' with Jamie. On the second night they share a bed: after a massage and a minor conversation, the boys soon change sleeping arrangements and Jamie kisses Ste for the first time.
The next morning, Ste panics and leaves before Jamie awakens, avoiding him for days. Jamie works up the nerve to steal a Gay Times from a newsagent, apparently starting to accept his sexuality and affection for Ste. Jamie finally spots Ste at a nearby party and confronts him; they prepare to leave together. The party ends badly, with Sandra taking vengeance on Leah for gossiping, who then threatens to 'spill the beans' about Ste and Jamie and confesses to having covered up for Ste in front of his father and brother. Ste reacts poorly, angrily rejecting Jamie and running away.
Slowly, Ste accepts Jamie's love and their relationship begins to develop as they visit a gay pub together. Sandra follows them and discovers their secret, and the film reaches its climax as a bad trip by Leah (on an unnamed drug) precipitates Sandra's breakup with Tony; the news of Sandra's new job comes out; and Sandra confronts Ste and Jamie. Sandra comes to accept her son's relationship.
The film ends with the two boys slow-dancing in the courtyard of their council flats to the Cass Elliot song "Dream a Little Dream of Me", while a guarding Sandra dances defiantly at their side with Leah as the local residents look on; some of them shocked, some of them enjoying the moment themselves.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Linda Henry | Sandra Gangel |
| Glen Berry | Jamie Gangel |
| Scott Neal | Ste Pearce |
| Ben Daniels | Tony |
| Tameka Empson | Leah Russell |
| Jeillo Edwards | Rose |
| Anna Karen | Marlene |
| Sophie Stanton | Louise |
| Julie Smith | Gina |
| Terry Duggan | Kevin |
| Garry Cooper | Ronnie Pearce |
| Daniel Bowers | Trevor Pearce |
| Meera Syal | Miss Chauhan |
| Martin Walsh | Mr. Bennett |
| Steven Martin | Ryan McBride |
| Andrew Fraser | Jayson |
| John Savage | Lenny |
| Ozdemir Mamodeally | Slasher |
| John Benfield | Rodney Barr |
| Davyd Harries | Brewery Official |
| Beth Goddard | Brewery Official |
| Marlene Sidaway | Betty |
| Liane Ware | Claire |
| Catherine Sanderson | Kelly |
| Dave Lynn | Drag Performer |
| Jonathan Harvey | Wheelchair Queen (uncredited) |
The film received positive reviews from critics. As of October 2, 2010 the film holds a 90% approval rating on the reviewing aggregator site "Rotten tomatoes".[4]
| Beautiful Thing | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by Mama Cass and The Mamas & the Papas | |
| Released | October 15, 1996 |
| Genre | Pop, Romantic Ballad |
| Label | MCA Records |
A soundtrack for the film was released by MCA Records on October 15, 1996.[5]