Heartstopper Forever - A Fitting Finale To The Best Of Queer Joy
We've read the final book.
We've just watched the credits roll on the film.
There will be no more Heartstopper.
And I feel emotional. 'Heartstopper Forever' wrecked me in the best possible way.
For years queer people have been given endings that felt tragic in some way. Alice Oseman's decision to write a series of graphic novels on the premise 'Boy meets Boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love' didn't just feel brave, it felt revolutionary. We were told teenagers don't fall in love and especially not queer teenagers. We were told teenagers don't fall in love, especially not queer teenagers. Some accused the writing as being 'cringe', others even acused Alice of heteronormativity. Yet to the backdrop of this series, young queer people have come out, recognised themselves or saw a version of themselves onscreen - perhaps for the first time.
And what representation. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, asexual, aromantic. Most of the colours of the LGBT rainbow were raised proudly aloft. And not in an abstract way either. These characters had faces, bedrooms, parents, schools, friends, fears, dreams. It's no suprise that we cared about them for years and that's why I don't see the Hearstopper fandom just suddenly ending. The quote 'We built it and it built us' seems to apply to the hardcore audience too.
And it feels emotional that I'm writing this article on the same platform Heartstopper began life. Still one of the most tolerant and welcoming online spaces for LGBT people.
There's a lovely air of 'full circle' about Heartstopper Forever. Charlie Spring, fresh into the role of Head Boy, rescues little Alfie (a younger version of himself) from homophobic bullies. The wonderful Mr Ajayi comes up with one of the best lines in he film, over-riding the wishes of the headmaster not to have a pride club and saying 'As a fellow homosexual I’d say us queers have never asked for permission to exist.' Then we see Alfie nervously pop his head around the door followed by a dozen or so other LGBT teenagers.
Here's the thing. A strong LGBT cast has given Heartstopper much of its onscreen authenticity. We know matters to them just as much as it does to us. The two leads are wonderful. Kit Connor as Nick Nelson is simply outstanding. Not only does he bring a phsycality to the role, he brings gentleness, warmth, emotion and tenderness. His facial expressions alone are memes the world over. He talks with his eyes. Likewise, Joe Locke is pitch perfect as Charlie Spring, bringing a rare tie between the graphic novel character and the grounded, emotional vulnerability of Locke's portrayal.
Yasmin Finney gives another terrific performance as Elle Argent, delivering one of the most powerful moments of the entire film. She calls on Charlie and her friends to support her at Pride, in light of growing anti trans hostility. The Pride scene iluminates the screen, bringing visibility and a prelonged call for equality. Another firm reminder that is never a LGBT without that T.
The scene in the coffee shop with the elderly queer couple is delightful. Charlie sees them caring for each other and it's hard not to think of Nick and Charlie decades into the future.
Which brings us nicely on to Tao. A future with Elle is left to our imagination but whatever happens, he delivered a gorgeous quote I mentioned earlier. Whatever happens in the future, The exact relationships may change, and people may fall in and out of touch, I don't know. Our lives will take different paths. But the web of love that connects us will never break. We built it. And it built us.
And Lovely Issac as a writer documenting his friends seems the perfect progression for this beautiful character.
The ending for Nick and Charlie isn't because they are magically soul mates in a happy-ever-after ending. It's because as Sarah Nelson rightfully points out - love is a choice - a choice to lean towards love has always been a privotal character trait of Charlie and Nick. Think of the central messages:
We Built it and It Built Us
Let's fill the memory book
Choices of a meaningful life that is built in spite of not instead of turmoil and problems.
As the leaves wrap themselves beautifully around the memory book, Alice Oseman dreams of them walking hand in hand on a beach somewhere. Always loving. Always choosing love.
