A good British take on confused Teenage boys that really rings true. (Beautiful Thing (DVD))

Member Name: Walshy_walshy

Product:	Beautiful Thing (DVD)
Date:	27/06/09 (19 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good chemistry between characters, excellent insight into a gay teenage boy's mind

Disadvantages: Writing and plot development could be tighter.

Where Brokeback Mountain was an amazing insight into unrequited love that you truly believed in, this is a British version that can be embarrassing to watch in places, but in the way that it should, especially where teenagers are concerned. Created in 1996 on an infinitesimally small budget, it marks two teenagers and their exploration of sexuality. The main characters of Scott Neal and Glen Berry offer good insights into what most teenagers go through during puberty and so I can believe what's going on.

The setting of a bleak council estate also adds to the stress but that's not delved upon in as much detail as the South London location in the time it's done could've added to the layers of the story. There was also a few other areas of things that could've been explained better, like the battle of the feelings of Jamie. There was no gap between him battling his feelings to coming to terms of being in a relationship. This doesn't make sense, but for sake of pace, I get why they did it.

Now the good points, and there's a few of them! The embarrassing parts are the parts that are most poignant. It's like watching puberty in all it's graphic detail and it's horrific to watch as it reminds me what it's like as a boy that age when conflicted between being a 'normal' teenager and a gay one. The roles of the mothers are also portrayed very well as people who will do their best for their sons and ensure they are given as much support and do what's best for them. It's very bleak setting actually is an advantage as it gets into the psychology of the boys.

Overall, I love this movie, some parts I tend to try and not watch as a superb bit of drama, but as a way to completely sympathise and empathise with the tribulations of coming out. It's a great movie for parents to understand what their child has emotionally been through. It's also quite a sweet movie, just with an unorthodox relationship as the main focus.

Summary: Excellent insight to the teenage mind.