Reclaim the Frame presents: Beautiful Thing (15)

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.

Directed by Hettie Macdonald and adapted for the screen by Jonathan Harvey from his acclaimed play, 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 since its original release, it’s a joy to discover, or rediscover, this much-loved but underseen film, with the music of Mama Cass beating at its heart.

Reclaim The Frame’s anniversary celebration of Beautiful Thing forms part of the Film Audience Network’s Rip It Up season, with support from the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding, and from Film4.