Like It Is (1998)

The film is an incredibly accurate snap-shot of London's club/music/entertainment scene...which very much like Hollywood is run by a very influential homosexual clique. Most people won't get the subtext here, but it's VERY apparent to anyone who was close to it; in the beginning we see life in Blackpool and the harsh brutality of bare-knuckle boxing to purposely evoke a feeling of "how barbaric! How can people treat other people this way for fun and sport!?" Then we are slowly drawn into the club/entertainment scene, where "shiny new things" get fawned over and praised...all the while being sized up and used, then ultimately discarded when they no longer serve a purpose. The point being; while the life in Blackpool is an obvious physical manifestation of this, at least everyone openly knows what is going on and accepts it, while the scene in London is much more sinister and hypocritical; wounding emotionally and psychologically. Not surprising how the more shallow reviewers will have completely missed this point...but I thought for an independent film it was executed masterfully.

A potentially overlooked little gem of a film about a young Englishman who is true to himself with such simplicity, clarity, and honesty that it can bowl you over. He inhabits two extremely contrasting worlds. One filled with violence and blood, the other with gentleness and affection. And the leading man, in his first starring role is so good that never for a minute did I doubt the character he played. When a film really impresses me, I buy the DVD version ASAP. I was ordering the DVD of this film even before I had finished watching it. I highly recommend this film.

I didn't get it. I suppose if you're under 25 you might find this film interesting, but anyone who's seen good films will probably be bored. Unless perhaps you're going to be thrilled that it's got gay characters in it, and a gay milieu. Perhaps now, in the post-Brokeback world, that's not enough anymore? All the stock characters of this type of story are here: the young British gay who's afraid to come out, the seen-it-all club denizen who meets him and falls in love (or lust), the blonde girlfriend just trying to have her big break, the record producer who loves having young boys around, etc.Or maybe it was just the boring techno music that put me off?

I really enjoyed this movie. It had alot of personal resonance.A sweet and moving film. I wish I had seen it at 18 or 20.All of the actors deliver interesting performances of depth. Steve Bell is compelling as a young man coming of age and coming out.