Lately, I’ve watched a lot of films dealing with the LGBT community. Whether they be documentaries or narrative feature-length films. They’ve become more prevalent in recent years.  More LGBT writers and directors have got their shot at making films. Blue Jean is one of the best ones I’ve seen in recent years.  It has a terrific story with a tough dilemma at its core. LGBT or otherwise should watch this movie and get something out of it.

This is a British Film, set in the late 80s. It focuses mainly on a Phys-Ed Teacher Jean (Rosy McEwen) She’s a lesbian, with a lover but she isn’t completely open regarding her relationship. She goes to gay bars and enjoys her life with her lover. That is until she sees a student of hers at one of the bars she frequents. This puts her in an awkward situation. She hasn’t told everyone at the school she works at about her lifestyle choice.

 When another one of her students starts trouble with the other girl things start to close in on her. The gay/lesbian politics by Margaret Thatcher on the news have proven to be a tough situation for the Phys-Ed Teacher and her personal life, And the work life she’s kept it away from for the most part. McEwen tiptoes the line between these two lives perfectly. She gives a terrific performance in this role.

The director Georgia Oakley has made a film where the LGBT community is the main focus in a big way. Based on semi-real events of this era in history and place in the world this movie fleshed out underlying permeations that have been going on for a long time in England and its other territories surrounding it. This story meant a lot to her to tell and get on screen for many people from around the world to see.

I have a personal reason for liking this movie. I have a gay brother. This lifestyle has been in my world for a while now. Also, I had a bad incident back in the 90s of prejudice regarding being called gay by employees of a local movie theater. I understand how this woman feels regarding her privacy and how getting this lifestyle out for everybody to see and or judge you isn’t an easy thing to digest. This film handles these topics brilliantly.

This movie has a good supporting cast and main actor but there are other elements I rather liked about this film. One of them is all the period clothes and hairstyles. I felt like I was back in time while watching this movie. The other is that the cinematography is pretty cool. It has a grainy feel to it showing the way the director wanted this story to be brought to the screen. The film style was perfectly used for this period in history. I’m a sucker for a good period piece even if it’s 35 years ago. 

Blue Jean is one of the best films of the year so far for multiple reasons. It has a great period story that is very real and relatable in today’s society. It is anchored by a good cast that is led by its star McEwen. Oakley the director added all the right touches to make people who grew up in this era a bit nostalgic. I definitely felt all the various below-the-line departments were on their game regarding the clothes, hairstyles, and cinematography. This is a must see film no matter who you are.

4 ½ stars

Dan Skip Allen