Beautiful Thing (1996): Cast, Box Office & Plot
Beautiful Thing is a 1996 comedy drama directed by Hettie Macdonald, starring Glen Berry as Jamie Gangel, Scott Neal and Linda Henry. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes and earned $2.2 million worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 32m (92 min)
- Director
- Hettie Macdonald
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Channel Four Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Beautiful Thing About?
The premise of Beautiful Thing without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
An urban fairytale. Set during a long, hot summer on the Thamesmead Estate in Southeast London, where three teenagers edge towards adulthood.
Beautiful Thing Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- sexual attraction
- gay crush
- teenage boy
- gay teenager
- gay magazine
- sexual awakening
- lower class
- mother son relationship
- mother's boyfriend
- coming of age
- coming out
- first gay sexual experience
+38 more Show fewer
- gay kiss
- homosexuality
- gay protagonist
- gay cinema
- council estate
- balcony
- family relationships
- bully
- single parent
- housing estate
- southeast london
- housing project
- cockney
- boyhood friend
- 1990s
- young love
- single mother
- child abuse
- bullying
- homosexual
- homosexual love
- gay bar
- gay
- abusive father
- sharing a bed
- coming of age drama
- teen romance
- gay actor gay character
- abusive brother
- boy dancing with boy
- lotion
- reference to mama cass
- gay interest
- discovering someone is gay
- volkswagen bus
- high rise
- kitchen
- magazine
Beautiful Thing Cast & Characters
Glen Berry leads the cast as Jamie Gangel, with Scott Neal as Steven Pearce and Linda Henry as Sandra Gangel. Directed by Hettie Macdonald; 25 actors are credited in all.
- Director Hettie Macdonald
- Glen Berry as Jamie Gangel
- Scott Neal as Steven Pearce
- Linda Henry as Sandra Gangel
-
Ben Daniels as Tony
Also Starring in Beautiful Thing
· 21 more- Tameka Empson Leah
- John Savage Lenny
- Meera Syal Miss Chauhan
- John Benfield Rodney Barr
- Garry Cooper Ronnie Pearce
- Sophie Stanton Louise
- Davyd Harries Brewery Official
- Marlene Sidaway Betty
- Anna Karen Marlene
- Jeillo Edwards Rose
- Terry Duggan Kevin
- Beth Goddard Brewery Official
- Jonathan Harvey Petra
- Julia-Lee Smith Gina
- Martin Walsh Mr Bennett
- Andrew Fraser Jayson
Show all 25 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Ozdemir Mamodeally Slasher
- Daniel Bowers Trevor
- Liane Ware Claire
- Catherine Sanderson Kelly
- Dave Lynn Drag Performer
More from Hettie Macdonald
More films directed by Hettie Macdonald, best-rated first: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, White Girl and Banglatown Banquet.
Beautiful Thing Plot Summary
What happens in Beautiful Thing from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Jamie [Glen Berry] is a teenager who is in love with his classmate Ste [Scott Neal]. Jamie’s single mother, Sandra [Linda Henry], is focused on ambitious plans to run her own pub and keeps a revolving door of lovers, the latest being Tony [Ben Daniels], described as a neo-hippie. Sandra’s energy and priorities pull her in multiple directions, especially as she navigates the delicate balance between supporting her son and pursuing her own dreams. The tension with her neighbor Leah [Tameka Empson], a sharp-tongued and often abrasive presence who has been expelled from school, adds another layer to the block’s dynamic. Leah’s life—marked by drug use and an audible devotion to Cass Elliot—casts a bright spotlight on the domestic drama unfolding in the building.
Full summary
The whole story of Beautiful Thing, scene by scene
Beautiful Thing Box Office
Beautiful Thing grossed $2.2 million worldwide. $1.5 million came from the US and Canada and $627,772 (29%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$2.2M
- US & Canada
- $1.5M
- International
- $627.8K
Beautiful Thing Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Beautiful Thing.
How Well Do You Know Beautiful Thing?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is Jamie's romantic interest in the film?
Cars in Beautiful Thing
13 cars on screen, including the 1974 Volkswagen Motor Caravan T2 Typ 2 and the Hyster.
-
1974 Volkswagen Motor Caravan T2 Typ 2 Important role -
Hyster Minor role -
1983 Leyland Titan Minor role -
LTI Fairway Minor role
Beautiful Thing Also Known As
12 alternative titles, including “Die erste Liebe” and “Csodálatos dolog”.
- Also known as
-
- Die erste Liebe
- Csodálatos dolog
- Uma Bela Atracção
- Wspaniała rzecz
- Красота
- דבר יפה
- 愈爱愈美丽
- Delicada Atração
- 뷰티풀 씽, სილამაზე
- Краса
- Nádherná věc
- 愈愛愈美麗
Seen Beautiful Thing?
Movies Like Beautiful Thing
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Beautiful Something, My Beautiful Man and Queer Movie Beautiful.
Beautiful Thing FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of Beautiful Thing, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Beautiful Thing?
Beautiful Thing runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).
When was Beautiful Thing released?
Beautiful Thing was released on June 21, 1996.
Who directed Beautiful Thing?
Beautiful Thing was directed by Hettie Macdonald.
More films by Hettie Macdonald Who is in the cast of Beautiful Thing?
Beautiful Thing stars Glen Berry as Jamie Gangel, Scott Neal as Steven Pearce and Linda Henry as Sandra Gangel, among 25 credited actors.
How much did Beautiful Thing make at the box office?
Beautiful Thing grossed $2.2 million worldwide ($1.5 million domestic, $627,772 international).
Does Beautiful Thing have a post-credit scene?
No. Beautiful Thing has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
