Beautiful Thing cover art

Beautiful Thing Details

1996 Certificate 15
  • Rated:
  • 80
  • from 4093 members

The offbeat, underachieving denizens of a southeast London apartment building get an emotional wake-up call when two of the neighbors--two teen boys--unexpectedly fall in love. Tender-hearted kitchen-sink realism from Channel Four Films, adapted from the play by Jonathan Harvey. Read more

Starring Scott Neal, Glen Berry, Tameka Empson, Linda Henry
Director Hettie Macdonald
Genres Comedy, Drama, Gay/Lesbian

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Beautiful Thing cover art

Beautiful Thing

The offbeat, underachieving denizens of a southeast London apartment building get an emotional wake-up call when two of the neighbors--two teen boys--unexpectedly fall in love. Tender-hearted kitchen-sink realism from Channel Four Films, adapted from the play by Jonathan Harvey.

Starring Scott Neal, Glen Berry, Tameka Empson, Linda Henry, Ben Daniels
Director Hettie Macdonald
Studio CHANNEL 4 DVD
Run time DVD: 1 hr 27 mins
Certificate Certificate 15
Genres Comedy, Drama, Gay/Lesbian
Language DVD: English
Subtitles DVD: None
Released DVD: 01 Jan 2006
Production year: 1996
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (6) of Beautiful Thing

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  • 3 stars out of 5

    Two teenage neighbours on a London council estate discover they are gay in director Hettie MacDonald's urban fairy tale based on playwright Jonathan Harvey's West End stage success. How the boys deal with their sexual awakening is awkwardly, if endearingly, explored via a rough kitchen-sink backdrop, camp one-liners and a soundtrack leaning heavily on hits from Mama Cass (the late Mamas and Papas singer). Newcomers Glen Berry and Scott Neal give purposely raw-edged performances to match their on-screen naivety, but it's Linda Henry, making the most of the familiar sitcom moments, who shines as the indomitable single mother trying to understand her son coming out.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006
  • 1 stars out of 4

    A reticent, feelgood summer romance, to the music of the Mamas and the Papas; it deals more in nostalgic fantasy than reality, despite its gritty, urban setting.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
    • Posted 02 Mar 2006

  • Most helpful member's review of Beautiful Thing

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  • 33 out of 34 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    oh wow

    rent this and you won't be disappointed. Its moving. Its funny. Its shockingly upsetting. Unless you're a nazi, everyone will find something in this film to relate to. Whether you're gay, or not- You WONT be disappointed. RENT THIS FILM! I still find myself thinking about it now, 4days after renting it! A true classic, say no more.

      • adam from london
      • Posted 01 Sep 2004 21:09

  • Most recent members' review of Beautiful Thing

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  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    avoiding the stereotype

    i had previously seen beautiful thing on the stage and was intrigued how it would work on screen. i was pleasantly surprised. the central story of two teenage lads coming to terms with there sexuality in 90's london, avoids being overly sentimental and unrealistic. some good performances particularly from the mother and the girl next door.

    certainly worth checking out.

      • A customer from midlands
      • Posted 28 Jul 2004 19:03

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Rating breakdown

4,093 Member ratings
  • 100
1,112
  • 90
535
  • 80
829
  • 70
529
  • 60
453
  • 50
225
  • 40
149
  • 30
97
  • 20
114
  • 10
50

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      • The offbeat, underachieving denizens of a southeast London apartment building get an emotional wake-up call when two of the neighbors--two teen boys--unexpectedly fall in love. Tender-hearted kitchen-...