Film
RIP IT UP – Reclaim The Frame Presents: Beautiful Thing (15)
Dir. Hettie Macdonald, UK, 1996, 90 mins. Cast. Glen Berry, Scott Neal, Linda Henry, Tameka Empson, Ben Daniels, Meera Syal.
A tender story of first love, belonging and growing up, Beautiful Thing follows neighbours Jamie and Ste as their friendship deepens into romance over the course of one long, hot summer. Alongside them are Jamie's mum Sandra and friend Leah, two women with humour, struggles and stories of their own. Beautiful Thing transforms the familiar landscape of a council housing estate into a world alive with warmth, wit and bold primary colours, casting everyday life in a new light.
Thirty years on, it's a joy to discover, or rediscover, this much-loved but underseen film.
Reclaim The Frame’s 30th anniversary celebration of Beautiful Thing forms part of BFI Film Audience Network’s Rip It Up season, with support from the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding, and from Film4.
“A low-key gem.” — The Guardian
“An ode to youth grounded in the reality of what it meant to grow up queer in ’90s Britain.” — Little White Lies
For detailed information about the film's age rating and content notices, you can visit the BBFC website and search the film title, then scroll down to the “Content Advice” section: www.bbfc.co.uk
A tender story of first love, belonging and growing up, Beautiful Thing follows neighbours Jamie and Ste as their friendship deepens into romance over the course of one long, hot summer. Alongside them are Jamie's mum Sandra and friend Leah, two women with humour, struggles and stories of their own. Beautiful Thing transforms the familiar landscape of a council housing estate into a world alive with warmth, wit and bold primary colours, casting everyday life in a new light.
Thirty years on, it's a joy to discover, or rediscover, this much-loved but underseen film.
Reclaim The Frame’s 30th anniversary celebration of Beautiful Thing forms part of BFI Film Audience Network’s Rip It Up season, with support from the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding, and from Film4.
“A low-key gem.” — The Guardian
“An ode to youth grounded in the reality of what it meant to grow up queer in ’90s Britain.” — Little White Lies
For detailed information about the film's age rating and content notices, you can visit the BBFC website and search the film title, then scroll down to the “Content Advice” section: www.bbfc.co.uk
