The Line of Beauty DVD

This skilful screen adaptation of Alan Hollinghurst's Booker Prize-winning novel examines many of the uglier aspects of the 1980s – heavy drug use, lust for wealth, unapologetic superficiality – through the eyes of the beautiful people. Nick is a young, smooth-talking Oxford graduate who slips effortlessly into upper-class London life when college friend Tobias, the son of an up-and-coming Tory MP (Tim McInnerny, the embodiment of Conservative smarm), arranges for him to stay at the family home. The drama focuses on two significant relationships in Nick's life - one with a black council worker, and one with a millionaire playboy. The graphic gay sex scenes provoked a degree of outrage from the red tops, but are essential to convey the importance sex plays in Nick's story.
As in the novel, the dramatisation criticises the 80s through feigned impartiality – by telling the story through those who embrace the unchecked greed and hedonism, we understand how Nick makes the wrong decisions, being seduced by surface beauty throughout. Tobias' sister points out Nick's misguided priorities when she counsels: “Darling, you don't fall in love with somebody because they're beautiful. People are lovely because we love them, not the other way round”.
The series captures the 1980s zeitgeist and at times The Line Of Beauty feels like a period drama, as the land of electro-pop and ardent Thatcher-worship seems like another country. Music, set decoration and costume design (tweed jackets and chinos) all add credence to time and place. But ultimately it is through Andrew Davies’ splendid writing that the drama so cleverly comments on the social meltdown of the time.

Alex Davidson on 15th July 2006
Author of 231 reviews