Beautiful Thing (1996)

"A warm and funny love story.  Michael Musto, Village Voice
"One of the best movies of 1996...  Larry Flick, Billboard

Editor's Note The offbeat, underachieving denizens of a southeast London apartment building get an emotional wake-up call when two of the neighbors--two teen boys--unexpectedly fall in love. Tenderhearted kitchen-sink realism from Channel Four Films, adapted from the play by Jonathan Harvey.

	Ben Daniels
	Glen Berry
	Linda Henry
	Scott Neal
	Tameka Empson
	Jonathan Harvey - Based on Play By
	Hettie MacDonald - Director
	Chris Seager - Director of Photography
	Bill Shapter - Producer
	Tony Garnett - Producer
	Jonathan Harvey - Screenplay

The offbeat, underachieving denizens of a southeast London apartment building get an emotional wake-up call when two of the neighbors--two teenage boys--fall in love. Tenderhearted kitchen-sink realism from Channel Four Films, adapted from the play by Jonathan Harvey. Sight and Sound
"...The film is rich in an understated realism....An 'issue' film with a remarkably light touch..." 06/01/1996 p.35-6

Entertainment Weekly
"...An optimistic little movie....Just sing along..." -- Rating: B 11/15/1996 p.52

Variety
"...Infectiously funny..." 03/04/1996

Los Angeles Times
"...A tender coming-of-age story....An engaging, credible film with a good mix of humor..." 11/01/1996 p.F4

Chicago Sun-Times
"...[The] peripheral characters are the real life of the film. They're quirky, funny, unpredictable..." 11/15/1996 p.37

Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide 7 of 10
Sharp bits of humor and the blue-collar setting add punch to the proceedings, resulting in a winning coming-out/coming-of-age story. - Leonard Maltin

San Francisco Examiner 8 of 10
Beautiful Thing manages to do what few films have done--convey coming out with the specificity that draws viewers in while conveying a universality that hits home... its tale of how a teenage boy's self-discovery affects his relationship with his mother will no doubt resonate with gays, lesbians and their families everywhere. - Barry Walters