Tony London Movies
A gay couple become a metaphor for others living in the shadow of AIDS in this fascinating British drama which conveys its message with humor, warmth and insightful dialog. Simon, a handsome, macho guy, and Mark, a female impersonator, are lovers involved in an open relationship. Simon is HIV negative, and Mark is HIV positive. The film looks back at Mark's reaction to discovering his condition. Mark likes to be at home when not working. After he found out he began working on an AIDS quilt like the one in the video he watches over and over. Meanwhile macho Simon, a TV technician continues to cruise London's gay bars at night looking for action. Mark soon dies and Simon becomes the film's focus as he carries on with his irresponsible sex life. Simon seems totally unaffected by his lover's death. But then, Mark comes back to haunt him. Mark strongly chastises Simon for his risky behavior which gives Simon serious pause for thought. Simon is the only one who can see Mark and this creates problems. Eventually Simon must acknowledge his true feelings of love for Mark and begin reassessing his life and behavior. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Thomas Arklie, Ian Williams, (more)
Punk rock's first great embodiment of the motto "live fast and die young," Sid Vicious joined The Sex Pistols when they were already established as the most controversial rock band in British history; and it soon became apparent that he couldn't play his instrument, had a magnetic attraction to chaos, and possessed a dangerous thirst for booze, drugs, and violence. Sid & Nancy opens shortly after Sid (Gary Oldman) joined the band, when he meets an obnoxious American punk groupie named Nancy Spungen (Chloe Webb). Nancy claims that she can get drugs, and Sid naively gives her his money. Nancy doesn't show up with the goods, but when Sid runs into her a few days later, she has a tall tale about getting ripped off - and Sid sympathizes with her. Before long, Sid and Nancy have fallen in love, and while they argue with uncommon vehemence, they also depend completely on each other. When The Sex Pistols break up, Sid has few prospects and an increasingly voracious appetite for heroin, and Nancy's attempts to "manage" his career only hasten his downhill slide. Former Clash leader Joe Strummer wrote the film's theme song, "Love Kills," and The Pogues, The Circle Jerks, and Pray for Rain contributed to the soundtrack. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Gary Oldman, Chloe Webb, (more)
- 1984
In this film, set in a British girls school just before the outbreak of WW II, two young girls build a beautiful friendship despite their disparate backgrounds. Their teachers disapprove of their close relationship and try to discourage it, which suggests to the viewer that they suspect a lesbian affair could evolve, but as was true to the era being portrayed, this was never verbalized. This film gently touches upon the vulnerable days of adolescence. ~ Rovi
- Starring:
- Marie-Therese Relin, Tara Mac Gowran, (more)
John Hurt stars as John Merrick, the hideously deformed 19th century Londoner known as "The Elephant Man". Treated as a sideshow freak, Merrick is assumed to be retarded as well as misshapen because of his inability to speak coherently. In fact, he is highly intelligent and sensitive, a fact made public when one Dr. Frederick Treves (Anthony Hopkins) rescues Merrick from a carnival and brings him to a hospital for analysis. Alas, even after being recognized as a man of advanced intellect, Merrick is still treated like a freak; no matter his station in life, he will forever be a prisoner of his own malformed body. Unable to secure rights for the famous stage play The Elephant Man, producer Mel Brooks based his film on the memoirs of Frederick Treves and a much later account of Merrick's life by Ashley Montagu. The film is lensed in black and white by British master cinematographer Freddie Francis. Though nominated for eight Academy Awards, the film was ultimately shut out in every category. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt, (more)
- 1979
In this British drama, a teenager gets out of reform school and heads for a seaside vacation with three friends. Their fun is interrupted by a gang of Scottish punks who come to cause trouble. The two groups tangle, but eventually the hero is able to prove to his girl that he is a good fellow and win her heart. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ray Winstone, Tony London, (more)
- 1978
- R
Miss MacMichael (Glenda Jackson) is a dedicated teacher. She needs to be, because her students are delinquents who are barely one step away from prison. She has a boyfriend, Martin (Michael Murphy) who would love to take her away from the chaos and heartbreak of the classroom by marrying her, but she doesn't want to leave. Her efforts to connect with the students are hindered by the school's principal (Oliver Reed), who puts on a kindly face to outsiders but believes that totalitarian techniques are good enough for these unruly students. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi
- Starring:
- Glenda Jackson, Oliver Reed, (more)
