Beautiful Thing

Reviewed by: ScotusAntonovich

December 29, 1998

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I borrowed a movie entitled "Beautiful Thing" this past week. I doubt anyone here as seen it (with the possible exception of Elliot or Cellar). The film was made in England and employs VERY British actors. The plot is one of acceptance - for lack of a better word. The story itself centers on a young man (around 17 or so) who starts to accept the fact he's gay and starts to develop a crush on his neighbor and friend.

I say the plot is one of acceptance because that seemed, to me, to be the point the movie was trying to get across. The main character starts to accept being gay and dips his toe into the pond of understanding gay culture by going to a gay bar and reading a gay news magazine. The neighbor, whom is the crushee, must come to grips with being the object of male affection and his desire to return it while still being accepted by the "in-crowd". Finally, the mother must finally accept her son and the confrontation scene between the two was gut-wrenching to watch.

The above does happen over the course of the movie. I think there's little doubt the film made its points in a manner that was appropriate to the subject matter. The film was very successful in this, imo, although I do have a small quibble. The neighbor goes from repulsed to lover in a matter of almost a week. That is way too quick. I understand the need to get the plot moving, but they should have indicated more time had passed in relation to the characters.

 

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