Synopsis

Sixteen-year-old Steven Carter is tired of hiding his sexuality in the conservative English town of Basingstoke. When he discovers that John Dixon, the school's popular athlete, is also gay, the two begin a secret relationship. As their feelings deepen, Steven must decide whether love is worth remaining hidden, while John struggles with the risks of losing his social standing and public identity.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film is adapted from Patrick Wilde's stage play What's Wrong with Angry?, which was first performed in London in 1993. Wilde also wrote the screenplay.

• Production took place mainly in and around Basingstoke, Hampshire, the town where the story is set. The filmmakers used local schools, parks, streets, and other real locations rather than recreating the town in a studio.

• Filming began on August 17, 1997, and lasted approximately six weeks. Additional studio work was completed at Millennium Studios in Borehamwood.

• Get Real premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in August 1998, where it won the Audience Award.

• The film also received the Golden Hitchcock and Audience Award at the 1998 Dinard British Film Festival.

• The soundtrack combines John Lunn's original score with late-1990s pop and alternative tracks by artists including Dodgy, Republica, Sleeper, Cameo, and the Troggs. The soundtrack album was released on June 1, 1999.

• The film opened in the United States on April 30, 1999, and in the United Kingdom on May 14, 1999. The UK opening took place in Basingstoke, reflecting the production's close connection with the town.