To be gay and fall in love is not easy, for the rookie just as much as for the veteran.The veteran is in the music business where to be gay is as banal as having no hair on your face. It meets a younger one who is not sure what he is. The veteran falls for the novelty of someone who is doing it for love and comfort and not for his glands.The rookie is trying to prove himself by fighting the old way, the way they used to do in the Far West, though we are in Blackpool. No gloves. Feet permitted as much as fists and all other ways to hit and hurt. The audience is there to enjoy the blood and the suffering and the loser going out on a stretcher if possible.But the rookie is initiated to something he wants but he fears and he discovers he likes it, and he likes the man who is giving him that feeling of being loved, of being needed, of being wanted and expected, and he gives back the same. And the absence of the temporary distance of the other is harder than thirst and hunger. The pain of the desire when the object and the soul of that desire is not here is often maddening.But around the veteran, who is in his twenties only, there are other girls who depend on his guidance in their singing, other boys who depend on his enterprise and even shiny PR to become what they maybe are not, even if maybe they are what their boss wants them to become. And temptation is too hard, too burning hot and sooner or later the veteran will fall and the rookie will be trapped with a hangover that will come from an excess of alcohol and unwanted but un-resisted submissive abandon.But jealousy and rivalry brings a break up and the story is then how the two estranged lovers will find a crossroads where their roads can meet. More than touching. Encouraging about the real maturation of men in this world. And it takes courage to just face what you are and believe that most people around you, if they love you a little bit, will accept you the way you are.A film many should see to enjoy that maturation, or to discover what love can be between two men. Burning dedication and freezing need.Dr Jacques COULARDEAU

A dull, depressing and highly improbable love story. Horrible acting honors go to Roger Daltry in a truly laughable and forgettable "performance." And then there's Steven Bell who sets a new low in blandness and lack of screen presence. Ian Rose must have been blind in one eye and couldn't see out of the other. His lack of taste in men is downright scary! Much of this film happens in a vacuum, we don't ever get to know the characters, what drives them or how they relate to one another. They just simply show up in the film and we're expected to go along with the sloppy plotting. What was the business with the car theft? All in all, "Like it Is" remains a study in amateur film making.

With all due respect to those who thought this film had some problems with plot, lighting, or whatever, after just seeing it I would have to ask...what are you talking about???Sure, it's not "Gone With the Wind" (thank god); but a very well made picture none the less. Steve Bell (who plays the fighter) is TOTALLY convincing in every aspect of his character: as a confident fighter, a novice gay man, and a genuine (from-the-heart) lover. In the largely unexplored genre of gay romance/drama films depicting everyday guys, "Like It Is" is an important step forward.Steve Bell...make another movie, dude. You were great!!

Paul Oremland shows signs of being an excellent director. There are some awkwardnesses in this film that should have been reshot, but also many of the scenes are excellent, and especially the street scenes seem true to life and very atmospheric. Except for the fight scenes, this movie could cross over and be enjoyable for women. I'd love to see what Oremland can do with a larger budget.