Queer as Folk - Series 1

When it appeared on British television in 1999, Queer as Folk caused quite a ruckus. There was the sex, as graphic as most anything you'd see in an R-rated film. There were the questionable morals--after all, one of the lead characters knowingly seduced a virginal 15-year-old boy. There was, of course, the rampant homosexuality, seeing as the series followed a group of gay men living in Manchester. But what really got people talking was the quality of the series: no leaden soap opera or exploitative sex romp, Queer as Folk is an engrossing, incredibly well-written series that ranks with some of the best ever produced for British TV. Following the adventures of Stuart (Aidan Gillen), a rake capable of seducing anyone anywhere, and Vince (Craig Kelly), his boy-next-door best friend, as well as the family and friends who surround them, Queer as Folk paints a complex, emotional, and funny portrait of its characters, who range from the regular to the outlandish. Less sensationalistic than it sounds, Queer as Folk shares more in common with gritty, working-class British films like My Beautiful Laundrette and Beautiful Thing than it does with glossy, sex-themed American TV like Sex and the City or even the Americanized version of Queer as Folk. Though definitely comedic in parts, Queer as Folk takes a clear-eyed yet fond view of its characters, from lothario Stuart, who can be charming one minute and self-obsessed the next, to hapless Vince, a mess of insecurities who can't believe it when a handsome Australian (Peter O'Brien) falls in love with him. Fans of the American Queer as Folk will recognize the British counterparts to the American characters, as well as familiar plot arcs, but this series' writing and directing make it a far more dramatic--and multifaceted--look at gay life. This first season set, known as "Series 1," clocks in at four hours. --Mark Englehart Amazon.com essential video

Superb Gay Drama

When Queer As Folk catapulted onto British television in 1999, I was 19 years old and had only just "come out of the closet" to family and friends. Quite strange that immediately afterwards, this show began its 8 episode run on the Britsih network, Channel 4. It all seemed so parallel to what I was going through at that time and if anything was a real eye opener for me as then just being a naieve, innocent 19 year old.

Of course the opening episode sparked off outrage from critics and even the governement were not happy with the graphic content of the series with even talk of the series being taken off the air. I have a message to them - its simple, just switch t.v channels! The obvious level of concern stemmed from one of the characters wittingly seen having sex with a mere 15 year old schoolboy. No matter how immoral these situations seem, they do inevitably occur and thats all the writer of the series, Russell Davies was intending to draw upon.

The action is set in the heart of Manchester, namely Canal Street, a gay village thats awashed with nightclubs and gay bars. I, myself live in Bolton, a few miles away from Manchester and have to say I absolutely love Canal Street and is not a bit unlike how it seems in the series. The night life is positively buzzing, the music always divine and certainly there are always some interesting characters to meet. Myself and a large group of friends regularly hit Canal Street every weekend and dance the night away at bars such as The Union, Mantos, Via Fosser, Metz and Hollywood Showbar, most of which are seen in this series.

The absolutely drop-dead gorgeous Aidan Gillen plays Stuart, an arrogant, unlikeable character who is nearing thirty and has yet to come out of the closet to his parents. Despite how nasty he can become you can almost forgive all from his sheer good looks. In the first episode he scores the night with 15 year old schoolboy, Nathan Maloney. There are some graphic sex scenes with these pair of characters and if you're offended by homeosexuality in any way, its probably best you avoid the series full stop. As the series progresses, Aidan conveys a more two dimensional character, showing that Stuart was infact lonely and screwed up, which most likely stemmed from fear of telling his parents that he was gay. The role is played well and beleavably.

Craig Kelly plays the much more likeable, Vince Tyler, whose bubbly personality really shines through and is a fun part in the series. His laughable obsession with Doctor Who and his frequent bad luck whenever he takes a man home for a spot of passion, makes amusing viewing and his timing is impeccable. Its made blatantly obvious from episode 1 that Stuart is madly in love with Stuart, who he has been best friends with since the age of 12. However his affections are sadly not returned by Stuart who prefers to sleep around with the entire gay village rather than settling down into a relationship.

Charlie Hunnam takes the role of 15 year old, Nathan Maloney who is struggling to cometo terms with his homeosexuality and most likely had a host of teenagers identifying with his character. He literally crow bars his way onto the infamous gay scene in Manchester and becomes unhealthily obsessed with Stuart. Charlie plays the naieve schoolboy well and beleavably and causes some amusement throughout the series.

Amongst the rest of the cast includes Denise Black as Vince's fun-loving, down-to-earth mother, Hazel and is utterly fantastic in the role, conveying a likeable two dimensional character. Her witty one-liners and timing is superb and injects a refreshingly fun side to the series. Carla Henry also causes some amusement as Nathans best friend, Donna, whose loyalty to Nathan is actually quite touching.

The first four episodes are seemingly fun and games, following the gang as they plod along Canal Street and inevitably touches on prejudice towads gay men. There is a much darker undertone in episode 3 where the character, Phil, overdoses on heroin. In episode 4, the scene of the funeral takes place and is played out almost like black comedy.

From episode 5, the series settles down and concentrates on a host of subplots that all shrewdly link up to the final in the series such as centering on Vinces relationship with a sueve Australian businessman, played by Aussie T.V veteran, Peter O' Brian and Stuarts troubled relationship with his family.

The writing is impeccable as are all the performances. Many fun and games to endure as well as moments of genuinely compelling drama. Russell Davies shrewd observation on gay life is overly accurate but in no way is this the be all and end all to how gay men live so view it with an open mind. One of the fun aspects of the series are the characterisations where any gay man will be able to identify with at least one of them.

On the whole an impressive series, thats certainly colourful, has many laughs to enjoy and is accompanied by a sizzling soundtrack. The ambience of the nightclubs and drug culture are shrewdly evoked. Without doubt, a classic!
April 26, 2006

AMERICAN VERSION TRUMPS BRITISH VERSION

DON'T BUY THE DVD SET! IT IS NOT WORTH IT! IF THERE WAS A WAY I COULD, I WOULD GET MY MONEY BACK. If you want to be really entertained, BUY THE AMERICAN VERSION. COWLIP took a great idea from Russell T. Davies and made it great. March 4, 2006

Not as good as the American QAF serie

The dialogs are almost the same, but the charaters are not as cute as in the american serie. August 26, 2005

Better than the American version!

A series of episodes concerning the lives of three young gay men living in Manchester, England. Many contemporary political and social issues of the gay community are addressed, though this is even more true of the American version. I prefer the British version, and give it a higher mark, because it was the original and carries all the novelty and excitement that only an original can. Furthermore, the music track is superior to that of the American version, and the characters seem more realistic, more human and natural, and less idealized. I refused to watch the American version for a few years due to my disgust that this series was being re-made over again instead of extended with new episodes. This series was the first of its kind in the entire world and was shown on the BBC throughout the kingdom. I am conservative in rating QAF because I fear being biased and over-enthusiastic, and recognize that much of its appeal arises from its novelty. Few television series have been completely gay, and QAF was by far the best and was quite daring and original for its time. Many ideas, opinions and people that appeared seldom, or maybe never, in any other television show in the entire history of television are being explored in QAF. That which has for so long been censored has finally arrived in a mature fashion.
August 9, 2005

American version simply cannot compare...

I had grown tired of the US Queer as Folk series. Sure when it came out it was interesting and fresh, and now I realize the reason why--it basically transplanted lines from the UK series during its first season. After the first season I could no longer stand whiny Michael and ridiculously pathetic Brian (I don't see why he's hot).

Upon watching the UK version however, I was so blown away...so this was what the series was supposed to come across as! Interesting characters, actual death and loss (the death of Phil was a sad but realistic plot point), and Nathan (Justin) actually has a friend in school (WOW!) whom he talks to regularly about his issues! Another thing I couldn't stand about the US version was the annoying Debbie...my God, what a clown! Hazel (UK Debbie) was far more realistic, more maternal 'fag hag' than over-the-top crazy, radical-left mum. Yeah she parties, but at least she doesn't have crazy buttons on her shirt and act like a 12 year old kid in a 40 year old's body.

Vince was also a few notches above Michael as a character--slightly immature, yes, but also very realistic and adult-like (I could actually believe he was a store manager), unlike Michael who was just so pathetically whiny and immature that I felt like fast forwarding whenever he came on screen.

All in all, see the UK version that generated all the fanfare and controversy, you won't regret it!! August 6, 2005

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