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BEAUTIFUL THING

Director: Hettie MacDonald

Time: 90 min

Country: UK

Date: 1996

This affectionate story of two teenagers’ sexual coming out in a working-class housing project in London is an inspiring, tender, emotional tale that is sure to enthrall. Jamie (Glen Berry) is a reserved 16-year-old, close to Sandra, his pub-manager mum (Linda Henry), and preferring old Hollywood musicals to sports. His friendship with his soccer-loving neighbour Ste (Scott Neal), a fellow student who suffers through a troubled family life, soon develops into a sexual and eventually loving relationship. How the two boys tenderly handle their nascent sexual drives and how it affects their family and friends is explored in a sweet, fresh and surprisingly upbeat fashion. Standouts include the next-door neighbour Leah (Tameka Empson), a Jamaican-born teen who is obsessed with Mama Cass, and Sandra, a tough but warm-hearted single mother trying to juggle a career, a love life and raising a son. A wonderful comedy-drama based on the play and adapted for the screen by Jonathan Harvey. One of the best gay coming-out films of the 90s.

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