›› Clapham Junction ‹‹ a film by Adrian Shergold. 2007 | 99 mins | UK. a graphic reminder that homophobia hasn't gone away. Dave says: Screened by Channel 4 as the centrepiece of their week long series of programmes marking the 40th anniversary of the decriminalization (in part) of homosexual acts in England and Wales, this powerful drama from the pen of Kevin Elyot of Christopher and His Kind fame, offers a timely reflection on the major advances that have been made in homosexual visibility in the UK since 1967, only to cut to the chase by reminding us that the rise in gay visibility has seemingly gone hand in hand with the increase in homophobic violence. In detailing such, Elyot delivers a work that interweaves five separate stories into one overall narrative, showcasing "the mixed experiences of several gay men whose lives interconnect over thirty-six hours." From the like of two lovers celebrating their civil partnership, to a young man devoted to the welfare of his Nan, to the story of a schoolboy with the hots for a man twice his age, to a couple hosting a stylish dinner party, aided by a maid whose talented son walks a lonely path home. Yet not everything is as it appears, as each character has a far more complicated tale to tell and in ways that are not quite what you expect, given history student Theo (Luke Treadaway) is unaware of the predatory nature of the man he lusts after; but is Tim (Joseph Mawle) the sexual predator here? A description that certain fits 'just married' man Will (Richard Lintern) whose husband Gavin (Stuart Bunce) is in the dark as to how Will's hands couldn't keep themselves off cute waiter Alfie (David Leon) at their wedding reception, only for the man himself to chance upon Terry (Paul Nicholls) who upon leaving his Nan (June Watson), is all too keen to show his less than caring side to a gay man mourning the death of his mother. And here Nicholls strikingly acts against type in his unsympathetic portrayal of a homophobe with a vicious side to his public face. Linking many a narrative thread is the classic dinner party from hell scenario, one that begins in an ever so courteous manner, but is used here to voice differing views of sexual tolerance, as hosts Roger (Tom Beard) and Belinda (Rachael Blake) find themselves having to mediate between warring factions, when the lights of the police cars signal that another brutal assault on Clapham Common has taken place. But then, is a homophobic attack anything new in these days of so-called gay acceptance? To that end this ensemble work makes for a more than fitting screen reunion for Maurice stars James Wilby and Rupert Graves, with Graves as ever on fine form as openly out writer Robin Cape, who had previously made the acquaintance of Wilby's character Julian whilst out cottaging, only for Julian's wife Marion (Samantha Bond) to be oblivious to the true nature of her husband's sexuality, letting rip with her opinionated thoughts on gay men who go sniffing around in dark places. It's a remark that's nicely countered by Robin with the line: "perhaps we find this acceptance that you refer to ever so slightly boring?" Yet it's Robin's heartfelt plead for Julian to help find "the bastards who did it" that cuts to the core of this emotional drama, given the next time - it could be one of us. Cited by some as a gross misrepresentation of what it means to be gay today, the fact that this work did provoke such a reaction, only added to the discussion on its heartfelt message. For regardless of the pros and cons of cruising; outside of the gay bars, gay clubs and gay-friendly coffee shops; outside of the gay community itself, just how tolerant is society to homosexuality decades after the passing of the Homosexual Reform Act? That Phoebe Nicholls' excels as Natasha; aka another bigoted mindset of the piece goes without saying, only for the matriarch to be in for a surprise when she hurriedly heads back home to check on the well-being of her teenage son Theo. Remarkably gay-to-the-core for a television production, being complete with scenes of full frontal nudity throughout, together with shocking acts of homophobic violence that many will understandably find different to watch, to many viewers however and in a work filled with a stellar cast, perhaps the most touching and certainly the most explicit turn lies with the controversial story of Tim and Theo; beautifully played by the Mawle / Treadaway pairing; their intense tale is both unnerving and yet equally achingly real, being that of a star-crossed relationship that was doomed before it began. Criticized by some for the noticeable absence of any happy homosexuals; albeit and depending upon your point of view Robin, such is not surprising given and with a spoiler warning firmly in place, this was never going to be a happy ending styled narrative. For here Elyot, alongside director Adrian Shergold have gone out of their way to raise awareness of the horrific crime that is gay bashing. Indeed the whole story was influenced by the cold-blooded murder of twenty-four-year-old Jody Dobrowski, a young man who on the night of the 14th October, 2005 tragically came face-to-face with the bloody reality of ingrained homophobia, his life having been and in the words of his family "mercilessly punched and kicked from him." Whether such inhumane incidents are on the rise is cause for debate. What is not in doubt however is that this compelling drama makes for a bleak and somewhat depressing depiction of homosexuality in modern Britain. Yet that was the point, given this is a work that was intended to make you think twice about the surface acceptance of homosexuality and moreover, the ever present undercurrent of homophobia, as evident in the numerous documented attacks on gay men and women. And perhaps that's something that we really do not want to think about, until the truth literally hits you in the face. For and in the words of Rachael Blake's compassionate character Belinda: "he was in the most dreadful, appalling state and no one, NO ONE deserves to be treated like that." No one; indeed. Quote: "People are scared of being different ... it takes a lot of courage. But if you can be what you are, not what you think you should be, you'll be happy enough." screened: Sunday, 22nd July, 2007 - Channel 4 Television. ›› revised: Friday, 23rd August, 2024. Gay Visibility - overt | Nudity - the full monty | Overall - file under ... 4 stars ›› copyright © 2024 David Hall - www.gaycelluloid.com ‹‹ ›› archive reference #125 - revised ‹‹ donations are the lifeblood of Gay Celluloid; every drop helps keep it online - thank you :)