I am 24 and was looking forward to a snapshot of the London scene which I frequent every week. This never really transpired. What I was offered was a picture of the scene in the 1980's.
The gratuitous shots of Vauxhall tried to connect with the crowd of 2007, but where were the massive gay clubs that now pound music through-out the weekend? Where was the critique of crystal meth use? What of the large art and fashion crowd in Shoreditch and Hoxton? What of Soho, a place where many young men get their first idea of the gay scene. What of Gaydar? (that could have been a really interesting area of debate). But who needs things that are actually relevant areas of debate 40years on when we can have paedophilia...
This was written by a man that is out of touch. Why not have a young person write the screenplay, I would imagine there are enough new writers out there who could have explored themes relative to the modern gay community.
Gay men are featured as 'bit parts' in most T.V programmes or as stereotypes in others. It is rare to have a drama solely about gay men in Britain. I'm really upset that this drama had no balance and essentially served to portray gay men as alien from a society that they work hard to enrich.
I could relate to both teenage characters, particularly Theo (the redhead), because when I was 16 and until recently (I'm almost 19 now) I found myself being attracted to older men at the library and being tempted to do things with them (in some cases I did do those things, and I regret some of it now) - but Theo seemed to be taking a much more active role in his relationship with the older man than I think was realistic. I think it would have been nice if the two teenagers had met and started a relationship by the end, partly because the violin boy was hardly explored and partly to offset the (as another user here put it) "doom and gloom" of the film.
you missed the point of the whole programme. It wasnt meant to be a cosy travelogue of the whole London gay scene. It was an exploration of prejudice and the limits of tolerance.
I feel that only two things needed to be changed in the programme. The 14 year old story, the man should never have been a paedo but just a neighbour. The boy should have fancied him from afar, even the cigarette thing is true, to smoke whilst fancying someone who is also smoking is making a connection to that person, doing something together. To make him predatory and forward is not believable for someone who will be coming to terms with his sexuality and unsure as to other peoples intentions when glancing at you. The other part was the dinner party, having a woman go on about the rights and wrongs of the common would have come across much better had the participants all been gay in strong relationships and looking down their noses at people who participate in that sort of thing. It would also have given some balance to the fact not everyone thinks with their dicks.
Originally posted by alphacourt: I saw it all in the 5 years i lived in London, i loved my night life, Dukes on a Friday, XXL on a Saturday. It's not all stuff thats news to me.
If you have seen it all, how can you then not relate to any of it? I don't understand.
you missed the point of the whole programme. It wasnt meant to be a cosy travelogue of the whole London gay scene. It was an exploration of prejudice and the limits of tolerance.
Unfortunately I think this is a point lost on a lot of people!
When did gays become part of the moral majority and so self right-shiest? When I was in my early teens I was into older guy’s big time. I think this drama made a valid point was that a crime? If it was then who was the victim. Would I want to go with someone that young hell no, but then I did not want them when I was that age. Well the pink pound brigade see a future world that mirrors the straight one, don’t you believe for one minute that is everyone’s idea of utopia.
Originally posted by alphacourt: I saw it all in the 5 years i lived in London, i loved my night life, Dukes on a Friday, XXL on a Saturday. It's not all stuff thats news to me.
If you have seen it all, how can you then not relate to any of it? I don't understand.
That's what I thought, he totally contradicted himself.
Originally posted by Londonstudent: What I was offered was a picture of the scene in the 1980's...
This was written by a man that is out of touch. Why not have a young person write the screenplay, I would imagine there are enough new writers out there who could have explored themes relative to the modern gay community.
Gay men are featured as 'bit parts' in most T.V programmes or as stereotypes in others. It is rare to have a drama solely about gay men in Britain. I'm really upset that this drama had no balance and essentially served to portray gay men as alien from a society that they work hard to enrich.
I don't agree at all. The big theme of the 80s would have been how AIDS was affecting the gay community, something that Kevin Elyot dealt with in his stage play (later produced as a TV programme), "My Night With Reg".
The drama did tell its story in a contemporary setting from the outset and dealt with issues that do still confront gay men, despite 40 years of legalisation and advances in social acceptability. People do still get beaten up and killed because of their sexuality. There are men who are married who seek out gay sex when they can and park cruising and cottaging are one of the options they may explore. Young boys do get bullied and called 'gay' if they are perceived to be in any way different. And what do 14-year old boys do to come to terms with their sexuality and where do they go for support?
Of course, a writer could have put together a cosy drama centred on London's gay community. However, I'm glad that Elyot didn't do that. I think he was right to say that despite 40 years of progress, gay men still face challenges.
