This is not your average 15 year old girl meets 16 year old boy and they fall in love film.  It is 15 year boy meets 16 year old boy and they fall in love.

A courageous undertaking, even for nine years ago.  But then Channel Four has never worried about such niceties!

Beautiful Thing, getting a rare screening these days on the “big screen” at the Red Cinema in Manchester on Wednesday (August 24) as part of the Manchester Pride gay film festival (Pink Cinema @ Red Cinema), is based on the stage play of the same name by Jonathan Harvey who was responsible for the screenplay.

On the stage, the two teenagers were played by “older” actors.  One can get away with this in the theatre.  But in movies with the close-ups not available on the stage, there is a problem, especially as a couple of 17 year-old were cast as the two lads.

And even more of a problem back in 1996 when the age of consent in the UK for gays was 18!  Lawyers were consulted – the film does contain some “mild” bedroom scenes and the lads do steal a kiss.  Only two words were changed.  “I’m 15” became “I’m old enough”.  And all references to actual ages were removed.

The story-line of the film of blossoming young gay love on a London council estate, where a single mother (Linda Henry) is bringing up a teenage son (Glen Berry) who realises that he his in love with his neighbour (Scott Neal), is well-known these days.

But the strength of the film is showing life on a high-rise/low-rise estate in a more positive way than usual, even though there is someone who is a loveable “neighbour from hell” next door (Tameka Empson) – she thinks she is Mama Cass Elliott!

Also, the film shows that there is still a “class system” in London – and for that matter throughout the UK.  Nothing like it was, but it is still there, with accents being the deciding factor.

Eagle-eyed movie buffs might well recognise the Thamesmead South council estate in London where the film was made.  Stanley Kubrick used the same location for Clockwork Orange in 1971.

For director Hettie MacDonald, it was her first venture into movies and a truly remarkable debut.

The movie is on DVD in most countries and is one of those films that can be watched time and again and one never tires of it – an unusual feat for a “romance” movie.

In a less-enlightened USA, the film is rated “R” thus depriving many teens a chance of seeing a beautifully crafted movie which could well be helpful to them as they struggle with sexuality.  But in Manchester, there is no such problem.

Beautiful Thing (15) is at the Red Cinema, Salford Keys, Manchester, on Wednesday August 24 at 8.30pm (one screening only).  Tickets are priced at £3.50 and can be booked online at www.redcinema.com.

22 August 2005