Basically this is a gay love story set in Thamesmead, a working class area of SE London dominated by council housing estates. Jamie Gangel (Glen Berry), is an unpopular student who lives next door to athletic Ste Pearce (Scott Neal), who is beaten up by his father and drug dealer brother. Jamie's homosexuality remains concealed, but his introverted nature and dislike of football cause his classmates to bully him. Ste sleeps over with Jamie and they kiss, but Ste then avoids him. Eventually Ste accepts Jamie's love and their relationship develops when they visit a gay pub. The film deals with their sexuality, love, and others finding out. There are sub-plots dealing with heterosexual friends, family, and neighbours. The movie ends with the two boys dancing in the courtyard of their council flats to The Mamas & the Papas' song "Dream a Little Dream of Me".
"Beautiful Thing" started as a play written in 1993 by Jonathan Harvey. A screen adaptation was released in 1995 by Channel 4 Films, with a revised screenplay by Harvey. Initially the film was only intended for TV broadcast, but it was so well-received that it was released in cinemas. The atmosphere of the film is heavily influenced by a soundtrack almost entirely by Cass Elliot of The Mamas & the Papas. Hettie Macdonald directed.
"Beautiful Thing" started as a play written in 1993 by Jonathan Harvey. A screen adaptation was released in 1995 by Channel 4 Films, with a revised screenplay by Harvey. Initially the film was only intended for TV broadcast, but it was so well-received that it was released in cinemas. The atmosphere of the film is heavily influenced by a soundtrack almost entirely by Cass Elliot of The Mamas & the Papas. Hettie Macdonald directed.
