Craig (Steve Bell) is a rough young man in Blackpool working as a bare-knuckle club fighter who has difficulty accepting that he is gay. He's not only fighting in sleazy matches, but fighting his coming out as a homosexual. Outside a dance club he meets Matt (Ian Rose), a Londoner working for Kelvin (Roger Daltrey), a shady but enterprising record producer. Matt's roommate is a client, singer Paula Poptart (Dani Behr), who is Matt's friend but also insecure as a performer. Craig comes down to London to join Matt, but this presents problems for Matt, who has had lots of gay sex but has never fallen in love. Matt's feelings, Kelvin's demands, Matt's dream to run a club, Paula's jealousy, and Craig's lack of job skills combine to put Craig and Matt's relationship in jeopardy.
"Like It Is" shows the London club scene well, and gives a positive look at gay life rarely seen in films. The main characters are gay, sex scenes are not exploitational, and the gay boxer theme breaks down the usual stereotypes and cliches. The performances of both Bell and Daltry are first-rate. Steve Bell was British amateur featherweight champion in real life. Blackpool is shown as bleak in comparison to London, symbolizing an environment of repression and brutality in contrast to a more liberal and sophisticated environment. The movie includes profanity, drug-use, nudity, and sex scenes in a blend of drama, humour, fast paced action, and quiet moments. Don McGlashan composed the incidental music. Robert Gray wrote the screenplay and Paul Oremland directed.
"Like It Is" shows the London club scene well, and gives a positive look at gay life rarely seen in films. The main characters are gay, sex scenes are not exploitational, and the gay boxer theme breaks down the usual stereotypes and cliches. The performances of both Bell and Daltry are first-rate. Steve Bell was British amateur featherweight champion in real life. Blackpool is shown as bleak in comparison to London, symbolizing an environment of repression and brutality in contrast to a more liberal and sophisticated environment. The movie includes profanity, drug-use, nudity, and sex scenes in a blend of drama, humour, fast paced action, and quiet moments. Don McGlashan composed the incidental music. Robert Gray wrote the screenplay and Paul Oremland directed.
