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"Queer as Folk" (1999) More at IMDbPro »

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26 comments in total

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12 out of 13 people found the following comment useful :-
The most brilliant series ever!, 9 December 1999
Author: zeph-3 from Lisbon, Portugal

I have been privileged to see this superb series on DVD, as our national TV channels have been somewhat reticent to air it. I thought it was a fascinating and realistic (to some extent) portrait of what it's like to be gay in this end of millennium Britain. But even though I'm bisexual myself, I felt that the characters sexual preferences were not the central issue. Relationships, love, coping with life's little petty annoyances & major issues was. And the acting was excellent, particularly Craig Kelly (an often under-rated actor), Denise Black and Aidan Gillen. It was a breakthrough drama as far as the portrayal of gay characters on mainstream TV is concerned. I'll admit to that. But more than anything it was a glimpse of televised fiction at its best. No one should miss it. And your (eventual) prejudices might be challenged. All TV drama should aim for similar goals, I think...

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10 out of 10 people found the following comment useful :-
Original Version Shines, 21 July 2001
Author: harry-76 from Cleveland, Ohio USA

It's easy to see where this original British version of "Queer as Folk" generated talk when it debuted in the UK. Its liberated tone and sassy manner flings itself at the viewer with uninhibited abandonment.

It's certainly time for more honest depiction of alterative lifestyles, even though these characters may represent a cultural minority. Russel T. Davies' script is pointed and efficient, and Charles McDougal's and Sarah Harding's direction (of episodes 1-4 and 5-8, respectively) keeps the action moving and the dialogue sparkling.

Harding's direction is particularly effective, as Davies escalates character development as the series moves toward the end. The viewer begins to understand the selfish arrogance of Stuart, and the dependent relationship of Vince, to the viewer's dismay. Even the young Nathan emerges as a bit of a disappointment in the ethical department.

The driving rock beat of the score adds a flippant touch to these characters whose lives are closely attached to the flashy bar scene and superficial materialism. One night shagging, drug taking, and regular boozing complete a pretty empty portrait.

Selfish, self-centered, and immature, these characters are more to be pitied than censured as they engage in "La Ronde"-type laisons several nights a week. There's very little Canal Street has to offer, other than elaborate distraction, and these fellows play into its fold with addictive verve.

Turn up the volume, spin the crystal, boogie til dawn . . . it's all part of the escapist route-of-no-return. No matter that a mate ODed on heroine, as a result of a quick, irresponsible pickup. The funeral is as routine and unfeeling as as the last relationship. A stark and thought-provoking drama has been fashion by Davies, and played up a storm by a highly talented cast, headed by Aidan Gillen, Craig Kelly and Charlie Hunnam.

Gillen's work seems particularly reminiscent of Gary Oldman's in "Prick Up Your Ears." It's a highly detailed characterization that seems to come from the inside out. Both Kelly and Hunnam are seasoned professionals, and provide skillful insight to their presentations.

If anyone thought the cockney in "Beautiful Thing" was difficult to understand, give a listen to the dialect here. It can be uniformly cut with a knife, yet it also adds to the authenticity of its blue collar setting.

"Queer as Folk" certainly did what it set out to do: set a genuine precedent in mature and intelligent television filmmaking.

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10 out of 11 people found the following comment useful :-
Hard hitting, funny, emotional and erotic gay drama., 13 March 1999

Author: cusak from Dublin, Ireland

When I first heard of the planned screening of this series I thought it was going to be another in a long line of angst ridden gay dramas . But I couldn't have been further from the truth! Queer as Folk has everything a good drama needs: love, sex, betrayal, drugs, comedy, life and death. Throw in the first time underage sex has been portrayed somewhat graphically on TV, and Queer As Folk is what you get.

This series doesn't moralise-in-your-face on the characters actions.

The focus is on three gay guys living in Manchester. Vince (29), lovable, steady and reliable with a secret passion for Stuart (29), his wealthy, arrogant and bed-hopping best mate. Into their lives walks Nathan, a 15 yr-old schoolboy taking his first steps into life as a gay man. However, Nathan though naive, is no shrinking violet - he knows what he wants and plans on getting it. The acting is superb, along with the camerawork and direction. All in all, this is a TV series that should be compulsive viewing for everyone that sees it.

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12 out of 15 people found the following comment useful :-
There's a whole lotta shaggin' goin' on, 19 September 1999
Author: Matthew Ignoffo (mermatt@webtv.net) from Eatontown, NJ, USA

I am one of the few people in the US fortunate enough to

see this British TV series. It's certainly better than the majority of American sitcoms and mini-series. The story lines give a mature, humorous, satiric look at the life of gays in Manchester, England. There are serious elements of parents rejecting their gay children, homophobia, and the dangers of picking up people, but overall the stories are

kept brisk, funny, and delightful.

The closest that American TV comes is DYNASTY, MELROSE

PLACE, ACTION, and MARRIED...WITH CHILDREN, but this show

is more gutsy and even has Shakespearian irony. It presents interesting characters, bold plotting, and transcends its own open sexual elements. Following the

adventures of the three main characters (sexual-magnet

Stuart, unrequited romantic Vince, and teenaged conqueror

Nathan), the story includes a whole wide world of other

people and in wonderfully playful.

It would be nice to think that one of the US cable lines

will be bold enough to show it.

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7 out of 8 people found the following comment useful :-
"Queer as Folk",-The Best Gay-series of all times!!, 11 September 2001
Author: Axel Otterberg from Miami, USA

This series are really the best gay-soap of all times!! It's never boring, you get always a laugh and the characters will be more interesting by every episode of the series. I think that this TV-series will go to the classics... Well, I hope so. I'll give it 12/10 (!)

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8 out of 10 people found the following comment useful :-
Engrossing drama and hilarious comedy combined, 8 February 2000
Author: Kathy-45 from Arcadia, California

I am a straight woman who was fortunate enough to see "Queer as Folk" at the Los Angeles Outfest. I found it absolutely the best television series I've ever seen, on a par with HBO's "Oz," only more explicit and weaving comedy into the mix. The characters are painstakingly developed, and will capture your interest immediately. We all know a Stuart (arrogant sex freak hiding inner doubts and insecurities), a Vince (sweet, self-effacing, afraid to ask for what he wants), and a Nathan (15, impossibly romantic and willful). Though these are the main players, there are also wonderful supporting roles, including Nathan's concerned and sympathetic mother, his best school chum (wise-beyond-her-years "fag-hag" Donna), and Keith's irrepressible parents. The heady excitement of clubbing is captured perfectly; it made me itch to go to discos again! The production is altogether a class act. It's a shame that we here in the States are so under the thumb of the "family values" hypocrites that we may never get a series of this quality. Call your friends in England for a copy of the video, go to your local gay/lesbian center, do whatever you have to do to see this.

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5 out of 5 people found the following comment useful :-
Wonderfully fun, fast, energetic, 20 July 1999
Author: JetBoy from San Diego

This is really a delight. Despite seeing all episodes in one marathon session, it remained great fun all the way. The high-energy and really interesting characters (including some great lesbians) kept interest from flagging.

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6 out of 7 people found the following comment useful :-
They can show this on cable? Wow..., 6 June 2000
Author: Kenneth Moyle from Ontario, Canada

Just saw the first episode on Showcase last night... I guess I won't be getting to bed before midnight for the next few Mondays. This is a show worth staying up for... easily one of the best TV shows I've seen (not -the- best, but up there). I've heard it described as "gay drama", but that makes it sounds as if it's an agenda show (anyone ever watched "Christian movies"?)... it's gay... way gay... shockingly explicitly sexually gay... but above all it's good TV.

And since it's out uncut in Canada, there may be hope for our more sensitive neighbour to the south :)

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3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :-
Again, the Brits show how it's done!, 22 February 2007

Author: thehip73 from United States

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

I just finished watching the Brit's original vision of "Queer As Folk". I can't say enough how much I love it. After 4 viewings, it just gets better and better. There truly is no comparison between the UK and US version because it really is two different stories. In the UK version, it truly is a tale of life and friendship in a working class town. In the US version, it's more about the fantasy and illusion of a gay "scene" that barely exists to such extremes. While the US version has the glitz and pretty, the Brits take the less stereotypical route with the tongue-in-cheek banter and bonds you can actually feel. I have read comments about how the UK boys just aren't attractive as their US counterparts. All I can say to that is different strokes. Plus I don't think the intent of those viewers was to watch a story unfold, instead focused on a visual that engaged their fantasy of what they THINK the gay community should be like. This is a story of Stuart and Vince. One's the cock-of-the-walk, one is the heart-of-gold. The bond is unshakable for a reason and it's not Stuart's toying with Vince's emotions. It's that, underneath it all, these boys love each other. It's about unconditional love. It's about friendship and family and all the mess that comes with it. It's about reality. Excellent...just excellent!

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2 out of 2 people found the following comment useful :-
Fresh, fun and sexy., 21 January 2000
Author: Devyalento Latchford Deschanel from London, England

British TV has always shied away from subjects related to gay people. But Queer As Folk broke all the barriers to become the freshest, fastest and sexiest TV shows ever shown. The scene, the music, the clothes, the men, it all added up to 8 fabulous instalments of great TV.

Aidan Gillen, Craig Kelly and Charlie Hunnam were excellent as Stuart, Vince and Nathan, and the supporting cast, especially Carla Henry as Donna, the fag hag you always wanted, were outstanding.

If you want your TV cool and sexy check out Queer As Folk. Also, Charlie Hunnam is the sexiest guy on TV, without a shadow of a doubt!

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