Beautiful Thing (15)

Adapted from the play by Jonathan Harvey and directed by Hettie Macdonald, Beautiful Thing follows teenager Jamie growing up in a South-East London council estate with his mum, Sandra. Jamie, ostracised from his football-playing peers at school, begins to develop feelings for his classmate and next-door neighbour Ste. After Ste stays over one night to escape the abuse of his alcoholic father, Jamie’s feelings begin to be reciprocated and the two boys form a close relationship. The two leading boys are accompanied by a brilliant cast of supporting roles from the chaotic neighbour Leah to Jamie’s ambitious and independent mother, Sandra, and her latest lover Tony, a neo-hippie and working-class tourist. Following Jamie on his queer journey, from pouring over a stolen copy of Gay Times to experiencing a gay pub for the first time, the film sensitively explores coming-of-age as a gay teen in working-class Britain in the 90s. Beautifully accompanied by a soundtrack made up almost entirely of songs from The Mamas & the Papas and “Mama” Cass Elliot. This screening of Beautiful Thing is part of our season Young Hearts Run Free, a collection of films celebrating queer youth and love which runs throughout November.