Meet Cute equals Nice Courtship
Totally absent of any DVD "extras" but as usual a superior quality movie from Channel 4 in the U.K. Reminds me of MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDRETTE because of the type of soft ending, but also how the heroes have something that should be preventing them from being together, but doesn't, the relationship is established early on anyway. The lead "charismatic" actor, Jason Flemyng, playing the dancer Tonio, has AIDS and has seen a lover and a best friend both die of AIDS. After this he meets an AIDS therapist, and though they start off on the wrong foot, albeit film's cliche of "meet cute", the therapist pursues the dancer and the dancer quickly succumbs. But these aren't two-dimensional characters, but guys with personal histories and demons which both actors are fully capable of bringing off. These characters come alive as real people, a credit to both actors. Overall the AIDS dilemna is a tiresome one, however the screenplay takes a different approach with this couple because the guys wouldn't have become a couple at all if it wasn't for AIDS being a contributing factor: it's like AIDS is the third lead in the film. One problem with the film I had, the reason it doesn't get 5 stars, is because the pursuit of the dancer by the therapist was so enjoyable, I loved their mutual flirtation, and was saddened when this aspect of the courtship was settled so quickly.

Sometimes we need to be reminded....
For some unfortunate reason in the year 2002 people want to believe that Aids is over. That just because to some degree it can be controlled with medication that we've cured it. This couldn't be further from the truth.

Alive and Kicking is a lovely, funny and at times very tender reminder that there are still people out there not only living with Aids,dying of Aids, but also loving despite the limitaion of Aids. It's a realistic look at life, love, and dying. And about excepting that sometimes the body betrays the will.

THE ACTORS WERE REAL AND VIBRANT!
One thing I look for in a gay based movie is whether the actors either gay or straight, can give a realistic performance. Jason Flemying and Antony Sher gave a convincing dialog, and romantic scene, after scene. All the actors were good and the dance sequences were outstanding, (and I don't like ballet) .

The ending dance is very sexy and the cast really seemed caught-up in the dream-like-naked-torso-writhing and really enjoyed themselves.

The fact that this was about aids and people dyeing could have smothered the whole movie, but, it didn't dwell on the morbid, rather it gave everyone hope to carry -on with their lives.

Jack knew that if Tonio was not dying, he would not have given him a chance at the romance they have. And Tonio knows that there is a certain infatuation that Jack has for the fact that Tonio is dying.

They have their spats and both men need extra room now an then. Jack from the everyday dealings with aids patients (he is a therapist) to Tonio's hurting, aching body and the pressure to perform one last show.

I got wrapped-up in these characters and was able to have genuine feelings for them. I saw this on vhs and I understand it is available on DVD which I will add to my collection...

I really liked it!
The movie was great! The dancing was absolutely beautiful and the story was just great. It was really touching and like so many British films, it left you with no definite conclusion, which usually bothers me, but in this movie it was okay, because you get the sense that it will all be okay, even during trying times. I really recommend this movie.

ALIVE AND KICKING!
Martin Sherman, author of the acclaimed play "Bent," wrote the screenplay for this thoughtful and moving drama of life in the era of AIDS! Directed by Nancy Meckler, this 1997 British film stars Jason Flemyng as the dancer who is too proud to let his HIV-positive status interfer with either his career or his love life! In addition to Flemyng's outstanding performance as Tonio, is the story line which has him finding comfort with an older man, a psychotherapist who is angry over the deaths of so many of his patients! "Alive and Kicking!" is one of those life affirming films in which it does not matter if you are gay or straight, sick or well, because it will touch everybody!