A Countdown Of The Best UK Films Centred On Gay Characters

Romantic love is something truly fascinating to explore, a decision to be with an individual through it all. We are often presented with tales of unfailing, undying and everlasting love, frequently portrayed through idealistic rose-tinted glasses, symbolizing the triumphs. It is pertinent that we are offered the wider view of all the highs, the lows and grueling agony of life’s changes that leave you feeling helpless all accumulating into love. 

Stars Stanley Tucci and Colin Firth showcase what it is to love in Supernova, which is a heart wrenching movie about the big and tough things we face in life. It is a story depicting the end of life as a couple knew it to be, a bond that has been threatened by the tragic effects of dementia and the love that shines through the heartache and pain. 

To celebrate the film’s release on June 25^th, we take a look at some of the most beautiful depictions of love centred on gay characters in the UK.

Pride

The 2014 film is a true story based on the 1980s miners strikes, where a rural Welsh community received unexpected allyship from the London chapter of lesbian and gays support the miners (LGSM) led by activist Mark Ashton (Ben Schnetzer) in order to raise money for the families out of work. The film goes through the highs, lows and challenges that these two contrasting communities often go through together. Despite the shiny cinematic gloss, there are some hard hitting doses of realty, which makes it safe to say that it is not all roses. 

God’s Own Country

Centred around the rural British countryside, God’s Own Country really is set to challenge the tough, macho, bravado front that the farmer’s son, Johnny Saxby (Josh O’Conner) embodies. His love and passion for the land he grew up in is re-ignited once again by Romanian worker, Gheorghe (Alec Secareanu) who is set to work on the farm during lambing season. This story is a tale of anger, aggression and denial and yet there are also elements of stolen moments, tenderness and overall beauty. 

My Beautiful Laundrette

Set in London and framed within the context of the Thatcher years in the mid 80’s, My Beautiful Laundrette explores the often complex and difficult relationship between the Pakistani and British communities. The story is crafted with some elements of humour and explores the relationship between old school friends, Omar (Gordan Warnecke), a young man of a Pakistani heritage and Johnny (Daniel Day-Lewis), a young English punk. The two get reunited and were assigned the task of managing Omar’s uncle’s laundrette and renovating it in order to turn it into a profitable business. However, this romance is not without its own complications as the two found themselves faced with cultural and societal pressures, which all placed a barrier on their ability to express love towards one another. 

Weekend

An emotional and turbulent farewell romance between two men, Russell and Glen, who meet at a club and begin a sexual relationship the weekend before Glen is set to move out of the country for two years. These two are drawn together by Glen’s artistic work that seeks to discover who people are and who they desire to be. The data for his artistic research is often collated following a sexual encounter, despite his reluctant nature Glen makes zero exception for Russell. Taken aback by Glen’s open and frank nature when speaking about sex this frankness becomes a catalyst for Russell to explore the reasons why he himself is resistant to opening up and be himself throughout the entire film. 

Supernova

Having spent over 20 years together, Sam (Colin Firth) and Tusker (Stanley Tucci) have battled through a world of changes. From originating from different backgrounds, Tusker being American, Sam being British, to existing as a gay couple through years of political struggles. Through it all they have survived and grown stronger as a pair, but when Tusker is diagnosed with early on set dementia these two showcase their differing approaches to dealing with a destructive terminal illness, sharing commonality in wanting to face this challenge together. 

Supernova comes to UK cinemas on 25th June.