Reviews

This is not an entertaining movie by any means. We're supposed to believe that the two lovers, Jimi and Jack, adore one another, but not once during the entire movie did they embrace, kiss or hug one another. Jack does cry at one point, but it looks like a lot of glycerin tear makeup was used to convince us he was really emoting. As for Jimi, despite the strong interchange with his father at the movie's end, he still comes across as a weak individual. Jimi and Jack are indicative of the slew of character stereotypes that fill this movie.

The only standout is Vanessa, Jack's mother. Thanks to the solid acting of Sally Banks, her character really has spit and spunk. Without it the movie would have collapsed and expired. It's hard to believe that Vanessa is Jack's mother, considering how shallow his character is compared to hers.

Perhaps the comments in this forum that are offered by one of the disgruntled extras have a lot of merit. From what I saw, and from what he says, if Chicken Tikka Masala had the benefit of more talent involved in its creation and execution, it might have been an enjoyable film. Instead, it wallows in stereotypes and is really boring.

I have the DVD version of the film and the colors are often dark and murky.

The description given for this film, along with the cast members, has nothing to do with Kosovo fighters. It is about a gay man raising his young son and who is facing pressure from his family to give up his lover and not continue to raise his son in a homosexual household. The listing for director is correct, as are the names of the cast members, but the summary of the film's contents is completely wrong. This film was released in 2003 apparently at the same time as a film of the same name won an award from the TriBeca Film festival for best documentary of the year. I don't know how the two got mixed up in this description. I have written to the IMDb editors about these mistakes.

Robert Duvall gives a creditable performance as the supervisor of a convict farm in 1902 Texas who befriends a young boy (Lukas Haas). The screenplay, written by Horton Foote, contrasts the difficulties of growing up and growing old. Duvall's character is senile and suffering ill health. He alienates himself from family and associates - except for a former convict assigned to his charge, the young boy who reminds him of his youth, and a couple who live in the village store.

It's a nice set piece, and the warm colors create a real feeling of turn-of-the-century South. While Duvall's character could have been fleshed out more, he does an excellent job as a man intent on dying on his own terms with help from his young charge

Dex Lister is a 17-year old caring for his two grade school siblings in a home that is missing its parents. Suspected and then arrested by Det. John McKeown in the murder of a factory supervisor, Lister's fitness as a guardian comes into question. The plot moves through a series of circumstances that eventually lead the viewer to question the motives of the detective and the young suspect. Are Dex's parents really missing? Is he all that he portrays himself to be? Is the detective's judgment being clouded by his personal problems?

Pete Postlethwaite as John McKeown and Jamie Draven as Dex Lister are excellent. The interchange between the two, first as friends and then as foes, heightens as each new fact is uncovered. "Butterfly Collectors" is as much a murder mystery as an examination of the effect people have on one another and their families.

I found it difficult, at times, hearing the dialogue clearly because of the thick dialect. Still "Butterfly Collectors" is a smart, intelligent made-for-TV movie, worth the almost three-hour view.

"Beautiful Thing" is a low-key but very satisfying piece of moviemaking. I could relate to the actions of the two young men as they established their friendship and then discovered their sexuality. The acting throughout is superb. Some interesting notes about the production: 60 teenagers tried out for the part. The two that eventually got the nod had to read for the part seven times before being chosen. It is estimated that about 25% of teenagers who are discovered by their parents as being gay are asked to leave home. "Beautiful Thing" shows the callousness of such parental action. After all, it is not sexual orientation that determines a fulfilling relationship, but love between partners whether gay or straight.