Heartstopper Forever review

It’s only been four years yet it seems longer since we first met Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring tentatively starting their relationship and I would imagine only those who watched the previous three seasons will check this finale. What's really changed though in that time is that it feels like the accepting atmosphere in which a series like this could thrive has been challenged.  While even some of its loyal audience have to admit that Heartstopper has sometimes been the frothiest confection that may not even fully represent the generation it is supposed to, the fact that it is being made at all is important in itself. However, that does mean the show has had something of a free pass in that aspects that would have received criticism had they appeared in other series were overlooked. On the flip side it has been a welcome change to have a drama unafraid of brightness and joy rather than the seemingly endless parade of dark thrillers that seem to make a lot of the running these days. This feature length conclusion closes off the story in a satisfactory though not outstanding manner. 

Spoilers after the break...

 

In a way Heartstopper has been a throwback to those ever so polite romances that used to feature in many a black and white film in which a couple would express their feelings cautiously with greetings card sentiments. They might kiss, even with passion, but that was far as it went on screen.  The first two seasons were a delight, the light touch came with likeability and some cool production motifs as well as plenty of humour. Expanding the focus to other cast members initially worked but the third season was an awkward mix that gave a feeling of treading water. If nothing else you wondered why, at their age with all that had happened, our two protagonists were still so tentative and not, you know, getting into it! And the fact they seemed to be experiencing hardly any prejudice- and when they did it was soon smoothed over easily- seemed to be unfairly representing things as they are.

There is a lot to like about Heartstopper Forever then as it get to the point literally (yes, they do have sex!) and figuratively. The pace is much faster than the three series though this does bring its own issues. Having introduced us in more depth to the storylines of supporting characters (especially last season) these are largely pushed aside and the only time we see most of them is during group events or parties. Only Tao and Elle receive any in depth attention and this is for a plot that sees them falling out with each other regularly. This may be due to their separation with Elle away ar art college but the script never really gets to the kernel of this matter. It is only due to the skills of actors William Gao and Yasmin Finney that it works at all. Perhaps the point is that they are different people now- its two fictional years since season one- but they don’t seem like the same characters we know at all.  As for Tara, Darcy and Isaac they are very much supporting characters this time round while other familiar faces get even less to do. I feel they built too large an ensemble in season three and now there’s not time to deal with their material.

The same cannot be said of Nick and Charlie around whom the story coalesces more strongly than ever before. They too have something of a rupture and credit to the series for not making this as melodramatic as it might be. Now with considerably more acting experience Kit Connor and Joe Locke each give their best performances in these roles flourishing in something of a reversal. While Charlie becomes more focussed and confident – earning the post of Head Boy with something of a radical manifesto and seen to try and stamp out bullying- Nick is less sure of his place, plagued by self doubts both about the relationship and the future. A great idea is to show each of them in the aftermath of this split and despite their undoubtably strong on screen chemistry, when they are apart for a stretch it really brings out excellent performances from both. Because everyone watching is either going through or has been through similar teenage traumas regardless of specifics, this section of the film hits strongly.

Shot last July and directed by Wash Westmoreland, this film does have a slightly more muted tone than the seasons (even though the parties are more raucous) and fewer of the floating leaves, electric sparks and other cartoon style underscores. While this can be less distinctive it seems a fair indication of the older ages of the characters. The score is less jangly and more sorrowful at times as various characters start to have doubts about the future. This is potentially a rich seam to explore but perhaps because of the comic book origins Alice Oseman’s script is sometimes not robust enough to make its point with enough clarity. That being said there are several strong scenes, notably Elle’s speech about trans issues and Charlie’s surprisingly bold Head Boy address to the whole school.

The narrative still has moments of over simplification notably one scene in a café where Charlie works at which an elderly  couple are customers just when he is going though worries about the long term future. “Teenage relationships don’t last” he’s been told but seeing these two he realises they can. Mind you, one can’t begrudge a cameo from Derek Jacobi as one of the couple- the other is his real life husband of over 45 years Richard Clifford. It’s a shame their appearance is so fleeting and they don’t engage Charlie in a longer conversation. Then there’s Nick trying to get over the split by getting a part time job at a dog’s home. His favourite pooch? A golden retriever of course, a dog to whom Nick was often compared in the first season.

Do Nick and Charlie get back together in a lovely, nostalgic manner in time to leave school with their friends whose differences are all ironed out? Or do they both indulge in drink fuelled affairs ending with one of them crashing a car leading to a dramatic hospital dash? Well, which do you think?

It is a shame they couldn’t get a fourth series because there are several avenues here that go unexplored. Whereas season three seemed a little thin on plots, there is enough in this film to easily fill a full length run but it is good that we do have a conclusion to the story, something that wasn’t always certain.  Heartstopper is never intended to be Euphoria, Heated Rivalry, Skins or even Grange Hill. It’s an idealistic, sugar coated, optimistic piece yet within it are positive messages of inclusion, representation, love and growing up. It feels like such a menu is something more necessary now than when the series started.