Beautiful Thing 1996

This urban fairytale and a story of sexual awakening is set in the close-knit, working class community of the Thamesmead Estate, where there are no secrets and no opportunities for privacy, and where the next door neighbor is likely to be a cheeky young woman who loudly plays albums by the Mamas and the Papas while growing increasingly obsessed with Mama Cass. Here the focus is on Sandra and her teenage son, Jamie. Sandra works as manager of a local pub, hoping to one day own a place of her own. Jamie, in the meantime, is the kind of student who hates athletics and is victimized by his peers. Jamie's neighbor at Thamesmead, Ste, is a popular jock at the school, but Ste has his own problems at home. One night, Ste seeks refuge at Jamie's flat, where the two boys share a bed, and the foundation for first love is set.