Beautiful Thing (1996) – Nostalgia Central

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Originally made just for television, Beautiful Thing from Channel 4 Films earned theatrical release thanks to its well-received screening on TV.

16-year-old boys Jamie (Glen Berry) and Ste (Scott Neal) are classmates and neighbours on a grimy council estate in Thamesmead, South London.

Jamie and Ste both come from dysfunctional families: Ste gets leathered regularly by his drunken father and drug-dealing brother, while Jamie is bullied at school and watches the men come and go in the life of his single mother, Sandra (Linda Henry), a loud and brassy barmaid with a heart of gold and the hide of a rhino.

Their teenage lives are further complicated after a kiss when Ste stays over at Jamie’s place after taking another beating from his father.

The third member of their group is their Mama Cass-obsessed black neighbour Leah (Tameka Empson), who has been kicked out of school and is desperate to find some meaning in her life.

Young love triumphs over a long, hot British summer as the boys eventually embrace their sexuality and affection for each other, despite Ste’s initial difficulties accepting where his heart and future lie.

Based on a 1994 stage play by Liverpudlian Jonathan Harvey (who also wrote the screenplay adaptation) and directed by first-timer Hettie Macdonald, Beautiful Thing is a rare thing – a sensitive and sympathetic gay love story that is neither outrageously camp nor aggressively militant.

Jamie Gangel
Glen Berry
Ste Pearce
Scott Neal
Sandra Gangel
Linda Henry
Leah Russell
Tameka Empson
Tony
Ben Daniels
Rodney Barr
John Benfield
Trevor Pearce
Daniel Bowers
Ronnie Pearce
Garry Cooper
Kevin
Terry Duggan
Rose
Jeillo Edwards
Jayson
Andrew Fraser
Brewery Officials
Beth Goddard
Davyd Harries
Marlene
Anna Karen
Drag Performer
Dave Lynn
Slasher
Ozdemir Mamodeally
Ryan McBride
Steven M. Martin
Kelly
Catherine Sanderson
Lenny
John Savage
Betty
Marlene Sidaway
Gina
Julie Smith
Louise
Sophie Stanton
Miss Chauhan
Meera Syal
Mr Bennett
Martin Walsh
Claire
Liane Ware
Wheelchair Queen
Jonathan Harvey