- Actors: Ben Silverstone, Brad Gorton, Charlotte Brittain, Stacy Hart, Kate McEnery
- Directors: Simon Shore
- Writers: Patrick Wilde
- Producers: Anant Singh, Helena Spring, Patricia Carr, Stephen Taylor
- Format: PAL, HiFi Sound
- Language English
- Classification: 15
- Studio: Paramount
- VHS Release Date: 22 Jan 2001
- Run Time: 108 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B000055ZP5
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 7,184 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
Product details |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Ben Silverstone's appealing lead performance is the main reason to see this well-intentioned but otherwise bland tale of forbidden teenage love. Steven Carter is 16, lives in leafy, stuffy Basingstoke and is gay. Although comfortable with his sexuality, he knows neither his parents nor schoolmates are ready for the news. Until, that is, he forms an unlikely relationship with John Dixon (played by wooden Brad Gorton, who looks about 25), star athlete and all-round school stud. Wary of damaging his hunky image, John insists the romance remains secret--but Steven finds this easier said than done.
There is no faulting Get Real's tolerance, honesty, trusting yourself and trusting others message. And Silverstone, despite his alarming resemblance to geeky Carry On star Richard O'Callaghan, does his best to make it watchable, His scenes with Charlotte Brittain, as his next-door-neighbour and confidante Linda, are especially fresh and convincing. The film is enjoyable and hard to dislike--but this very inoffensiveness ends up counting against it.
While the gay themes are handled with an admirable lack of fuss, the package they come in is too tasteful, too carefully put together. Director Simon Shore can't be blamed for the script's predictably contrived melodrama--Patrick Wilde adapted his own play--but he might at least have brought it to the screen with a bit of pep. Instead we get TV-flat visuals, scored by creakily old-fashioned incidental music to ram home every point. As a story, it's enjoyable, even admirable, especially given the political controversies over the "promotion" of homosexuality in schools. But as a movie, it's a non-event. Released at around the same time, Swedish hit Show Me Love covered virtually identical ground, but with an intoxicating energy that this picture never comes close to matching. Like John Dixon, it has got the right idea--it just needs to loosen up a bit. --Neil Young
From the Back Cover
There's no time quite as awkward as adolescence. Between the sky-high expectations of parents, the constant scrutiny of peers, and one's own raging hormones, something's got to give. And if, like Steven Carter, you also happen to be gay, navigating your way through adolescence can be like hiking through a minefield!
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
I've just seen this movie on video. It's absolutlely wonderful. Very british, with lots of irony, and interesting subplots. Charlotte Brittain is wonderful - watch out for her fainting episode and the look she gives after she 'comes around'. Brad Gorton as John(nie) is very believeable in the role, as is Steven,(Ben Silverstone). In fact the whole cast of the film is wonderful, and the casting people should be congratulated on a fine job.
There is nothing that is negative about the whole film in my opinion - maybe that it ended to soon -I wanted to know more. English films let you see the heart and soul of the characters to the point where you feel like you've known them, or shared a part of their lives. Most American films do not.
One of the main attractions of "Get Real" is that it is exactly that. Very real, true to life, but funny, entertaining, and poignant at the same time.
Watch - you'll love it.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
I'll be the first Brit to review this film them. This is like the best film I've seen which deals with gay issues (though I haven't seen that many) ever, in my opinion its far better then Beautiful thing, because the plot and the character development is far more complex. Its not a silly American film either (that may have something to do with it being UK produced and filmed.) The ending is the right ending, although it might not be to the romantic at hearts. Most people who are gay and live in the UK or even else where, will defiantly find them selves, at some stage saying, "oh wow that happened to me, or that's something id do" which is cool. The film also funny, and soppy, and its really good, it's a shame most people wont get to see it. And the way the mum susses that he's gay way before the father even contemplates it, is so real. (Plus the acting is really good!)
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
I've only just seen this movie and I liked it so much that I am going to buy it right away.The cast were amazing and the acting was so believeable.The plot made me want to laugh out loud as well as cry.It gets 5 stars from me!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Shame about the cover
Two of my daughters were extras in this film (blink and you will miss them) as were other friends and neighbours as it was filmed locally. Read more
Published 3 months ago by nanajacqui
best film ever
this is a fantastic, amazing, wonderful film. I am a heterosexual female but I could not get the characters and film out of my mind for days afterward. Read more
Published 12 months ago by qalady
Astute "coming out" story
A moving tale of choosing one's path in life or - better said - following one's destiny, despite all. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Peter in the Land of Oz.
Grange Hill does homosexuality!
I am genuinely astonished seeing and reading the reviews of those giving this five stars. Personal taste and all that aside, this is a monumentally bad film. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Timestar
The best British Romantic Film Ever.
I saw this film for the first time on Sky Movies HD about 2-3 weeks ago and loved it.
Im glad ive now got it on DVD as it is simply the best British Romanctic Film Ever. Read more
Im glad ive now got it on DVD as it is simply the best British Romanctic Film Ever. Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2010 by Gavin Dunn
One of the best
Most movies with honest gay stories are made independently. This is no exception. A largely unknown cast. Read more
Published on 14 Oct 2009 by Mr O
How sexy is Durham.
I have a thing for County Durham. I find the people calming, sexy and immediately fell in love with the soothing and sweet accent. Read more
Published on 29 Sep 2009 by Kurt Clare
DVD in review
Very disappointing! The DVD is in german with English as a subtitle. The screen view is small as if this were an illegal copy. Read more
Published on 12 Aug 2009 by Kenneth Carter
Get Real DVD
Great story, very true to reality.Makes a good basis for SPHE type work in school.
Published on 18 May 2009 by Mr. W. S. Pilkiewicz
Brilliant British Cinema
This is a truly uplifting and thought provoking film with lots of
schoolboy humour and melancholy moments throughout. Read more
schoolboy humour and melancholy moments throughout. Read more
Published on 13 May 2009 by Mr S. Anderson
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