Beautiful Thing

"Beautiful Thing"
Hettie Macdonald, 1996

"Beautiful Thing" is the film adaptation of an English play about two teenage boys who fall in love with each another. It's a cute story, but it does nothing for me. It is the type of movie that doesn't strive to surprise or enlighten us. It makes us feel good that things work out, which is exactly what what we expected from the start. Most of the scenarios suffer from an intangible, musty feel, as though the filmmakers demand that we feel for these characters, even though they are obviously nothing more than flat and largely unconvincing actors spouting out requisite lines about angst and love. On the upside, the relationship takes place in a very average setting - low income housing - between two very average-looking and socially awkward guys. I suppose there is something comforting and uplifting to be found in that, for us normal, and still single, viewers at least.

Rating: 3.5

First Viewed: 11/22/08, on DVD - IMDb