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Reviews
Beautiful Thing (1996)
Lives Up To The Title!
This is one of those typical British films: made with excellent but unknown (at-the-time) actors, a budget of nothing; about a taboo subject that has no humour in it; in a deprived working class area. In typical British film style all these essential ingredients together with some added humour make for a wonderful and absorbing film. Linda Henry for me was the star of the film. Playing Sandra Gangel Jamies mother she really is 'The Tart With A Heart'. Shes, hard as nails, a worker, and essentially a great mother though this is not always easy to see at the beginning of the film but as the story progresses it becomes clear that she has struggled and fought for her son throughout his short life. Once his homosexuality comes out into the open the real fight is only just starting. Jamie falls for abused neighbour/school friend Ste. Both the characters of Jamie and Ste are played with such professionalism throughout. There are some bedroom scenes which could have been over played, but in this film much is left to the imagination of the viewer. The young boys really do justice to the great writing and direction. The supporting cast are much in the back ground except Leah, a rather troubled girl in from the same housing block who provides some of the more amusing moments and pathos especially with her devotion to the music of 'Mama Cass". The British class system also comes into the film via Sandras latest boyfriend, Tony. Again this difference is played for what it is - a difference in backgrounds and cultures. It is not played for laughs. It is just there: all the situations in this film appear to be normal and not contrived or put into the film for the sake of it. Tony does however, make a valuable comment during the film. When Jamies homosexuality is known by Sandra she is seen out on the balcony crying and thinking about how she brought Jamie up on her own. Tony's comment about nothing having changed is a wonderful moment in the film. The climax of the film shows Sandra and Jamie moving a step up in the world and Sandras acceptance of her sons sexuality. She makes a great comment to her best friend Gina; "Gina, I shall never have grandchildren".
I mentioned earlier the humour. This is typical British dry humour which i can imagine would pass some non Brits by as it isn't slap-stick or obvious but subtle and natural; and comes from the excellent script. Good examples of this are the love/hate relationship between Sandra and Leah which provides some very funny one liners and also the conversations Sandra and Jamie have together. There is some wonderful pathos!
I saw this film first when it was shown in the 1990s (when it did cause some controversy in the UK) and again in 2006 and it has not dated at all. It still looks as fresh and good as the day of release.
It shows a hot summer on a London Housing estate where two young people find themselves. The picture is more like a window into the lives of the people on the estate. You can easily imagine that life went on before the film and indeed is continuing much the same today.
L'hôtel de la plage (1978)
Fantastic French Farce.
I saw this film years ago on the BBC late on a Saturday night. I at school and learning French and though the content was something a little risqué for a 13 year old I was allowed to stay up and watch it. I loved it though not quite sure if I fully understood it then. It really is a wonderful seaside romp with the main pastime being everyone trying to get off with everyone else. It may sound a bit sordid, but it is anything but. It is funny, tasteful and a great way of spending 90 minutes or so. The character interactions and story line just flow in a seamless way, taking the viewer along on the ride. The BBC seemed to repeat it every summer during their 'Foreign film season for a good few years: for me and my school friends it became a summer favourite. Recommended for students of French and The French.