Tout le monde parle de Jamie

Max Harwood delivers a standout debut performance in this camp coming-of-age musical, which features dazzling musical numbers, great costumes and set designs and an over-the-top drag queen performance by the wonderful Richard E. Grant. I could do with less of the gay clichéd themes - they are cringey.

It is hard to combine two potentially opposite things. To be yourself and to fit in. Much harder if you happen to be a teenager. "Everybody's talking about Jamie" is a fairytale. Based on real people, but nevertheless a fairytale. Young, effeminate, gay 16-year boy, abandoned by his father, with hopes and dreams and the grim reality of Sheffield, industrial city in southern Yorkshire. Not the greatest starting point for an aspiring drag queen. But then, aren't the starting points way overrated. Charming fairytale for our, all but charming, depressing times.

I watched this cautiously as I had not seen the musical on stage, and somehow I felt I was too old to be interested, and I was wrong!! This is a tremendous film and the plot no doubt has been explained over and over again. Jamie is the 16 year old who realises he is a part of Gay History, and that drag queen which he wants to be had also been a cornerstone of that History. The key scene was when Richard E. Grant sings a homage to the 1980's and 90's when drag queens died of AIDS and there is heart wrenching footage of Princess Diana visiting hospitals and hospices. It all made sense; the whole purpose of the film in showing those aspects of Gay History that still many choose to forget. Jamie takes on that continuing History of bullying, mockery, as well as help at home and in school. Sarah Lancashire is moving as his devoted mother trying to hide him from the fact that his father wants to disown him as his son, and despite all the songs that vary in quality I love this film for its bravery in showing us that a 16 year old can be a part of the revolution, which is the perhaps never ending legacy of Gay History, and for every supporter there is a homophobe who wants to destroy that History. A film for all ages and a welcome breath of fresh air. A perfect film for the children of the future in any country that is hostile towards homosexuality that I can think of. A deserved 10.

This is a well made musical biography. The story is touching, uplifting and powerful. The songs are good, the visuals are colourful. The film lifts you up through the great songs.

I've missed Broadway musicals, I love heartfelt movies, and drag, AND cameos with my favorite drag queen Bianca, so this was all around fantastic for me. The singing was top notch, couple songs weren't the best, but the story touched me, and I shed a few tears.

Plus if you love dancing and singing, you don't want to miss this movie!!!