Such a frustrating disappointment

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

The film is an incredibly accurate snap-shot of London's club/music/entertainment scene...which very much like Hollywood is run by a very influential homosexual clique. Most people won't get the subtext here, but it's VERY apparent to anyone who was close to it; in the beginning we see life in Blackpool and the harsh brutality of bare-knuckle boxing to purposely evoke a feeling of "how barbaric! How can people treat other people this way for fun and sport!?" Then we are slowly drawn into the club/entertainment scene, where "shiny new things" get fawned over and praised...all the while being sized up and used, then ultimately discarded when they no longer serve a purpose. The point being; while the life in Blackpool is an obvious physical manifestation of this, at least everyone openly knows what is going on and accepts it, while the scene in London is much more sinister and hypocritical; wounding emotionally and psychologically. Not surprising how the more shallow reviewers will have completely missed this point...but I thought for an independent film it was executed masterfully.

Somewhat disjointed in continuity, Like It Is nevertheless did hold my interest. Steve Bell, who plays the young boxer Craig, is effective as the bare-knuckle fighter trying to make his way in the world with his bare fists. At the same time he is troubled by the nature of his sexuality as gay impulses begin stirring when he meets Matt, played by Ian Rose. Their first attempt at a physical relationship is a disaster, but later on they consummate their love in a scene that must have been challenging for the two young actors. The film was obviously shot on low budget but the DVD has a couple of "extras," a sign for me that the producers are aiming to capture a larger audience. Unfortunately a big obstacle is the lack of captions. Much of the film was shot in Blackpool in northern England where the regional dialect is difficult for Americans to understand. It is a "foreign language," and the viewers need a break with some interpretation.

I did like this movie. Directed by Paul Oremland, hopefully not his last, he brought truth and fine acting by a not so famous cast, to the fold. It was a low budget made film, but the writing, by Robert Gray, was top notch. It proves you can tell a beautiful love story without the glitz and millions of dollars. I think Mr. Oremland was in love with his story and his cast. He gave it such beautiful and heartbreaking moments. His interview on the DVD explains why he did the film and why he had such a strong connection in filming it. He also explained how he found the leading man, Steve Bell. Bell is perfectly cast as Craig, a young boxer from the skids who is not only fighting in sleezy matches but fighting his coming out as a homosexual.He seemed so natural, they claim he actually had done some boxing in real life, you believed him from the start. Watching his opening up in his relationship with a pick-up, played by the beautiful Ian Rose. Rose also gave a truthful and lovely performance as he too found himself in his relationship with Craig. They played their scenes together quite well, including their nudity scenes.Other cast members were Dani Behr, who played such a selfish girl-friend to Rose, I wanted to slap her. What a witch, and I use the term lightly. Then there's Craig's brother, well played by Chris Hargreaves, who learns his brother is gay and supports him and his choice. Kind of brother every gay guy wishes he had. Roger Daltrey played another sleezy character in this film. I'm not quite sure whether I disliked his acting or his role the most. I didn't like him in this. I'm one who didn't know who he was. Not a THE WHO fan obviously. So I can't compare him to anything, but what he did in the film. Maybe Mr. Oremland felt he needed a name? I thought Daltrey overacted. But, that's a minor flaw in this wonderful movie. The story, acting and directing all make it worthwhile in renting the DVD. Go and do it like it is.

Far from a perfect film, LIKE IT IS still stands head-and-hunched shoulders above more confectionary, gay-themed delights such as PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT, TO WONG FOO...and even BEAUTIFUL THING. Refusing to sprinkle even the slightest bit of fairy dust on its P.O.V., this is the down-to-earth tale of Craig, (engaging newcomer Steve Bell), a sexually confused bare-knuckle brawler from Blackpool, who meets up with the more outgoing and OUT Matt (Ian Rose), a budding record promoter/publicist who lives the clublife in swingin' London. Though there are some plot and character inconsistencies as mentioned before in previous reviews, the realism gives a fresh look to the now cliched boy-meets-boy-loses-and-gets-boy-back tale, which by now has lost quite a bit of its shock value for open-minded straight audiences, as well as its novelty and notoriety for gays. What further distinguishes it from similarly themed films with low-budget origins, are the standout performances. Bell comes across as a natural, Rose is believably torn between the career his Matt has worked so hard for, and the budding love he thought he would never feel for any bloke, now instilled in him by this tough kid with an angry attitude and a wounded heart, and Dani Behr may come across as grating for some, but she struck me as totally spot-on as a pop-diva-slash-fag-hag who values her friendships only after weighing her options. The most impressive turn, however, comes from Who frontman Roger Daltrey. After spending years honing his acting chops in projects as diverse as TOMMY, LIZSTOMANIA and MCVICAR, Roger finally has all the spice and sauce he needs to bring the wealth of his experience and talent to any project, and he will hopefully get the recognition (and the jobs) he deserves. As Matt's boss and mentor, Kelvin, he's calculating, lewd, ruthless and materialistic with a capital "C", inspiring chuckles as he promotes a shamelessly talentless boy band with all the aplomb and avarice of a latter-day, gay P.T. Barnum.See this film for its grit, earthiness and heart, but if for nothing else, for Daltrey's amazing performance.