Billy Elliot (2000)

Foursquare in the gritty-but-heartwarming tradition of Brassed Off and The Full Monty comes Billy Elliot, the first film from noted British theatrical director Stephen Daldry. The setting is County Durham in 1984, and things "up north" are even grimmer than usual: the miners' strike is in full rancorous swing, and 11-year-old Billy's dad and older brother, miners both, are on the picket lines. Billy's got problems of his own. His dad has scraped together the fees to send him to boxing lessons, but Billy has discovered a different aptitude: a genius for ballet dancing. Since admitting to such an activity is tantamount, in this fiercely macho culture, to holding up a sign reading "I Am Gay," Billy keeps it quiet. But his teacher, Mrs. Wilkinson (Julie Walters, wearily undaunted), thinks he should audition for ballet school in London. Family ructions are inevitable.

Daldry's film sidesteps some of the politics, both sexual and otherwise, but scores with its laconic dialogue (credit to screenwriter Lee Hall) and a cracking performance from newcomer Jamie Bell as Billy. His powerhouse dance routines, more Gene Kelly than Nureyev, carry an irresistible sense of exhilaration and self-discovery. Among a flawless supporting cast, Stuart Wells stands out as Billy's sweet gay friend Michael. And if the miners' strike serves largely as background color, the brief episode when visored and truncheon-wielding cops rampage through neat little terraced houses captures one of the most spiteful episodes in recent British history. --Philip Kemp Amazon.com

Have to watch!

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. If you haven't watched it... You should! December 24, 2008

Great film!

Can't say enough good about this film, especially how it illustrates the power and sometimes painful relationship played out between a traditional father and an atypical boy. I couldn't help but cry at the end. December 16, 2008

Billy Elliot DVD

Loved the Movie. However DVD was of poor quality as it stopped or jumped ahead a large number of times. December 15, 2008

Video worth watching....repeatedly

I purchased this video as a gift for a dear friend. We both love the story and found it transfers well to any country, age, gender. I sincerely recommend it .
Billy Elliott received it's highest compliment when Sir Elton John saw it and proceeded to create Billy Elliott the musical on Broadway! He related his life with his father to the story.
Enjoy it! December 12, 2008

Cheerful, positive winner

Young Billy Elliot (Jamie Bell) defies macho convention as well as his close-minded father (Gary Lewis) and older brother (Jamie Draven) to pursue his love of dancing in a small English mining town during a strike.

This delightful film just made me happy with its cheerful T-Rex-heavy soundtrack, exuberant performances, and quirky characters. It's pretty clear how everything is going to turn out at the end, and some of the changes of heart undergone by certain character may not be entirely convincing, but this remains a sunny, upbeat film. Despite the language, which earns it an R rating, it also presents a positive message for young people about being willing to think outside boundaries and resist stereotypes.
October 31, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...