Billy Elliot (DVD, 2001)

This is an inspiring film about a boy coming from a small coal mining town in Northern England who aspires to become a ballet dancer. As his father and brother struggle for their jobs admidst a strike among coal miners in their area, Billy secretly studies ballet with the help of their local ballet teacher Mrs Wilkinson (played by Julie Walters). Worries arise when his father discovers this - and the struggle that Billy goes through, going against all odds to fulfill his dream, is truly inspiring.

I love the film for the moments that tug on your heartstrings. Billy's passion for dance - like the time he practices his pirouttes in the bath and that time that he dances off his frustration in the streets with the Jam's "This Town Called Malice" are memorable moments. I especially love the parts with Billy and his family - the time that they had to chop up his mother's piano for firewood and those times with him and his father - are heartwarming, because you really feel that despite the adversities that they face in their life, they still stick together and they truly care for each other. Most excellent in this film is Jamie Bell's performance as Billy Elliot, as you can really feel this young boy's passion for dance with his performance in the film.

If you'd like to see an uplifting, heartwarming well made film, Billy Elliot is highly recommended.

It is rare that I can call a movie one of my favorite films of all times. BILLY ELLIOT has become one of those. There are many levels of this magnificent picture that make it excel: the portrayal of the extreme hardness of the coal miners who are going through one of the great modern-day crises in England; the difficulties families go through to keep themselves together as a unit no matter the hardship; and most of all, the anguish and humiliation people must sometimes endure in order to fulfill their dreams.

This is about Billy Elliot, played by a boy (Jamie Bell, cast from out of over 2,000 boys auditioned in Northern England) who had never acted on film in his life. Bell carries the movie like a seasoned actor, and relates to the viewers Billy’s yearning to be a dancer without one breath of being maudlin or cutesy. This is a movie of triumph over the nearly impossible--about one boy who is surrounded by a macho world that think boys should be football players or boxers--anything but “poofy” dancers. There are many wonderful moments in this film and they all lead up to one of the most incredible endings I have ever seen. In fact, after finishing watching the movie at home, I ran the ending five times, finally giving up to the avalanche of tears that fought to be released! This is a movie to be cherished and watched frequently. How sad that a film with such inspiration should come along so rarely. Let there be more by this great writer, director and cast of actors. And let us see much more of Jamie Bell, who will undoubtedly be a major name after he reaches adulthood. One day I expect to see him accepting an Oscar.

Eleven year old Billy (Jamie Bell) is trying to survive in a Durham County town during the 1984 miners strike that is affecting his family. His widowed dad (Gary Lewis) wants Billy to take boxing lessons but the boy is more interested in the ballet class taught at the same gym by hard living Mrs. Wilkinson (Julie Walters) whose daughter Debbie (Nicole Blackwell) taunts Billy into trying to dance. Billys natural talent is so great that Mrs. Wilkinson encourages him to audition for the Royal Ballet School in London. Of course when his dad finds out whats going on, theres trouble. The film has all around appeal and some fine performances. Jamie Bell, who is a young Fred Astaire, makes his film debut.

Billy Elliot is a great movie, but it earns it's "R" rating for the very strong language found within it. If it weren't for that and a few sensitive themes, it might be a great family movie. Although it's not for young children, I highly recommend it for adults. See past the language and you will find an inspirational story about a boy's passion for dance and his father initially forbidding it, and eventually sacrificing all that he can to support his son and his love for ballet.

There are many great lessons to be learned in this movie, and you will probably shed a few tears as it touches your heart with its display of a father's unconditional love. Also, heartfelt performances from all the characters made this movie a joy to watch. Again, I stongly recommend it, but I caution parents to watch it first before deciding whether or not their children should see it.

I found Billy Elliot to be a unique, touching story. It is a story about following your heart- no matter what the sacrifice. Billy is a young boy at a tender age when the opinions of others (especially his family) matter- yet, he has the courage to take up "dance" against the wishes of his father and older brother.

As his skill develops there is conflict in the family and financial hardship. Despite his initial anger and embarrassment, Billy's father ends up making some big sacrifices in order to send his son to dance school in London.

The movie felt very real. It drew me into the lives of the family members. There was anger, frustration, desire, fear, sadness, and love, all expertly portrayed in the faces and emotions of the characters so that you felt like you were there, as an unseen witness, to something that was very real. Yet, at the end, you realize this is just a movie, after all! Very nicely done. I loved the movie and will see it again.