Customer Reviews

Billy Elliot

5 star:		(202)
4 star:		(52)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Jamie Bell is pure magic in this wonderful coming-0f-age film that tells the story of a working class English lad who takes up ballet as a way to hone his boxing skills. In the process, he discovers himself, learnes some valuable life lessons, and fills a deep void left by the death of his beloved mum. Despite his family's strong objections (and financial straits) Billy ends up studying dance from a local teacher (the effervescent Julie Walters, who won an Oscar nomination for her work here). Her lessons - both technical and moral - serve as the basis for a devastatingly real connection between Billy and his disgusted macho father. What ensues is a dramatic comedy that inspires us at every turn without condescension or pity. The heartening interaction that develops between father and son is truly evocative, especially so for anyone who ever followed (or didn't) their dreams despite their family's objections. Not only does Billy "Dance!!" for his supper...he befriends the local outcast gay teenager and copes with questions about his own sexual orientation - heady topics for a movie about a dancing teen. All of this is handled in a mature, thoughtful manner, which makes the film a visceral, haunting experience. You can take or leave it's many messages, but theere is no denying its emotional core.

It's rare for a movie to challenge social mores and values by focusing on the dominant male principals. But "Billy Elliot" succeeds on more levels than other underdog-come-from-behind flicks. First, its based on a true story and resonates with truth, integrity and spirit. And, Bell's brash, authentic portrayal is pure magic. His feet literally take over his soul...he dances in the street, mimmicking Gene Kelly, and in the process taps his way into your heart. The performance is so accomplished it's a wonder Bell didn't receive an Oscar nomination. Even Russell Crowe - who won the 2000 BAFTA and Oscar for "Gladiator" - admitted Bell deserved the BAFTA Prize instead. Having resisted "Billy Elliot" at the movies, I finally caught it recently on HBO and was taken in immediately. This is a film your entire family can and should enjoy...if they don't, perhaps a little side trip to an English coal-mining town will help them appreciate this wonderful heartwarming film. Seriously, in this day and age, every one of us could use more Billy Elliots and fewer Scorpion Kings. A keeper!

My son dressed up like Beauty(Belle from Beauty and The Beast...not the concept of beauty) for halloween. He dressed like the Mother Superior when we took him to the sing-along Sound Of Music. The other day he got a superman toy and was putting a Barbie Shoe on it. I am living in the world of the unique child.And I know there will be a day where someone will try to change my son........ This is why I cried in Billy Elliot......This is a beautiful film about being different in an uncompromising world. It is a film about economics and society, and how art is developed through frustration and need...but with all that aside it is a truly entertaining and fabulous film. Stephen Daldry, the reknowned theatre director, makes his debut here. The direction is the thing that gives this it's guts. This is a much better film than it needed to be. And the performances....Julie Walters, Jaime Bell and Gary Lewis(such an amazing performance as the dAd)...Just check this out. The movie goes places that you don't expect, and thankfully, places you do. I have just been thinking about the end of the film, and how it is an ugly duckling story...the coolest thing about it is that more than Billy turn into a swan. It seems like the entire community turns swanish. Art and individuality can do that. I was the quasimodo of ducks before my som came along.

Billy Elliot is an 11-year-old boy played by Jamie Bell. On his way to a boxing lesson, he happened upon a ballet dancing class. Soon he discovered that he was very good at ballet, and he then wanted to become a dancer despite his family's wishes. This is a really touching and inspirational film about achieving dreams that will leave you cheering!

This is easily one of the best movies I have ever seen, and I have seen quite a few considering that I'm only 14. "Billy Elliot" is very similar to "October Sky", which is another great movie. (Even the kid's dad is a coal miner!) But it is also very different in the way that it is much more complex and subtle. I have noticed that because this is a British movie, it seems to be a lot more daring than most American movies, with a lot of things that Americans might consider extraneous. But that's what I like about it; Every character is so well developed even if they have a very small role (e.g. Billy's supposedly gay friend). These little aspects of these minor characters add a really nice touch to the already powerful story.

Also, DON'T let the R-rating fool you. THIS IS A FAMILY MOVIE. This movie is NOT pornographic, or violent, or chock-full of coke-sniffing. It just contains some language that little kids shouldn't use. Even so, the profanity is used very maturely. It is never gratuitous or unnecessary, it's just how these British people speak. And the film never seems to glorify the use of such language.

This film was WAY overlooked at the Oscars. It's definitely better than "Gladiator". "Gladiator" may have cool combat actoin, but it's got a very straightforward plot which doesn't make you think. I have NO IDEA why Jamie Bell wasn't nominated for his act. He has a very auspicious start in his filom career with this movie!

If there's one thing to criticize about this movie, it's the fact that the dialogue is spoken with heavy British accents, making it hard to understand at times. But that's not enough to keep me from saying that this is one of the best movies I have ever seen! Watch "October Sky" first, to give you an idea of how an American movie tells a dream, then watch "Billy Elliot" for a more sophisticated British idea.

You have to ask yourself how lucky Stephen Daldry was to find this particular young gentleman, Jamie Bell, to play the lead role of "Billy Elliot." I can't think of another youthful actor ( much less a dancer ) who could have been so successful in carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. Julie Walters does an excellent job as crusty teacher. Some of the best scenes in the film are the moments when student and teacher start in on the verbal battles that can leave you laughing and crying at the same time - a wonderful change from the calm, caring, though eccentric teachers of American film. The soundtrack of the film is very well done, as is the choreography for the dance sequences. The father, brother and ( especially ) the slightly loony grandmother are wonderful characters, as are Billy's best friend Michael, and the teacher's young daughter.

Regardless of the media hype ( which actually does Billy Elliot a disservice with it's use of chliched exclimations ), Billy Elliot does have flaws, some of them glaring and very nearly unforgivable. The script often tends toward the normal, the expected, and even the trite. The background of the coal miner's strike is appropriate, but director Stephen Daldry doesn't always make it clear why he dwells on it for quite so long. DVD specific ( I assume ) there are some problems with sound - often the music covers voice, and the volume between scenes is so radical that it's wise to keep your remote in your hand so that you can alternately hear what's being said and avoid bursting your ear-drums.

For all of the above, "Billy Elliot" finds "Moments of Grace" frequently, where you may burst out laughing, or wipe a quick tear from your eye. They are quick, they are short, they are instant, and they are brilliant - and they ARE worth it - every penny and ever moment and every flaw ... most of them thanks to Jamie Bell ( watch out for his smile - it only happens a few times in the movie, but it's a killer, folks. )

Conclusion: Ignore the media. Ignore the hype. Discard your expectations. Get "Billy Elliot" and take it for what it's worth - in my opinion - a wonderful, sweet film, filled with moments of glory that are well worth your time and effort and appreciation.

Hi there as I am the only one here so far that is English, I thought i would have to write a review. Billy Elliot, is to me the best film of this year,.I loved it so much from the very beginging to the very end, not one bit of the film was boring, it kept up the pace the whole time. Jamie bell is so wacthable, & a good dancer & is so sweet I wanted to give him a great big cuddle. This film will make you cry, beause of Jamie`s performance & because of the story line. Coming from England & reading about the mine strike when i was little made it feel even more real. Also I loved the music & my favouite bit is when the brillant julie walters, (another of my favourite pepole), & billy danced to T~Rex`s "I want to Boogie", I love that song. You will be moved by this film,. There is quite a bit swearing , but its almost fitting in that atmosphere where real pepole went through a lot of suffering. I recomend you buy it or rent it, but wacth it.

What can you say about Billy Elliot other than it deserves to win every award going. The main part played be an unkown Jamie Bell has helped this film as he has put his heart in to it and made Billy have a special place in all of our hearts. The story of how a boy who lives in a poor area in the middle of a coal mining strike is pushed into doing boxing when he really wants to dance is a bit different to the action films that are always being churned out. The storyline is sensitive to loads of different areas that will make this appeal to everyone. Julie Walters has to be commended for her part as the ballet teacher, i feel that she was the best person for the part. (chain smoker and full of sarcasim) The sound track that was selected for the film is the best that i have ever seen for any film. Stephen Gately provided the song I Believe which is fantastic which is followed up by The Jam And if that wasn't good enough that is backed up by T-Rex. Overall Billy Elliot is the film that has captivated everyone and this is a film that everyone should own as it will be one that can be watched repeatedly without you getting bored. (i went to the cinema 7 times)

Set during Northern England's miners' strike of 1984, Billy Elliot is a heart-warming, inspiring story about an eleven-year-old boy from a poor working-class family who aspires, despite the odds, to be a ballet dancer. Billy, however, lives with his elder brother and his father, both of whom are striking miners and neither of whom can abide let alone comprehend Billy's desire to take ballet lessons. It simply isn't done. It's not for a lad, and that's that.

Billy struggles to follow both his heart and his innate talent in order to break free from a less-than-ideal (and at times even violent) home life and the prospects of a bleak future. As a result, walls, cages, barriers and other images of entrapment figure prominently in the film, underscoring his predicament, and his dancing (by which means he struggles to break free) is powerfully juxtaposed with scenes of the violence, rage, and hatred in the community at the time.

The Special Edition of the video contains a 20 minute blurb (after the closing credits) with the show's stars, producers, and director talking about the film, the characters, and the situation in England at the time, all of which is interspersed with brief clips from the film.

The film is a 2000 BBC co-production with a running time of 111 minutes. Apart from a superb storyline that is powerfully portrayed, the acting is absolutely first rate by all involved. The Northumberland accents may be a little difficult at first for some, but it's nothing that can't be overcome with close attention, and it's well worth the effort.

In short, I'd highly recommend this film to anyone looking for a moving and inspiring yet rough-around-the-edges story of a lad intent upon breaking free and following his dreams in spite of the odds. This is not some slick but gooey, maudlin Hollywood-style production, and in my opinion it's all the better for it. The production is extremely well done--all the more so for being done in a manner so sensitive to the subject matter and the setting.

Billy Elliot

Score: 88/100

One of the most critically accepted movies of 2000, Billy Elliot is a real charmer of a movie that gets better with every minute. It certainly deserves all of its success, and should've been a Best Picture runner-up at the Oscar's 2001, but unfortunately, all it got was 3 nods. Oh, well. At least it got that, or else I would have been pouncing on the Academy!

1984: In a northern England mining town, miners are on strike and the atmosphere is tense. Eleven-year old Billy Elliot (Jamie Bell), whose father (Gary Lewis) and brother (Jamie Draven) are participating in the strike, whose mother has died quite some time ago and whose grandmother is not completely aware of what's going on, doesn't like the brutal boxing lessons at school. Instead, he falls for the girls' ballet lessons. When his folks find out about this unusual love of his, Billy is in trouble. Being supported by the ballet teacher, Mrs. Wilkinson (Julie Walters), he keeps on training secretly while the work situation as well as the problems at home get worse. Finally, Mrs. Wilkinson manages to get Billy an audition for the Royal Ballet School, but now he also has to open his heart to his family.

There are heaps of shining stars in the movies that make it all worth while: Stephen Daldry, director, nominated for his extroadinary effort this year, Gary Lewis, who brutally and brilliantly displays his anger and Julie Walters who stuns our emotion every time she peeps a word. But, the film belongs to the amazingly talented Jamie Bell, he is Oscar-worthy and very natural in his role as Billy, and it hasn't been since Haley Joel Osment's performance in The Sixth Sense 2 years ago that we have seen such an engaging child actor. The film is also able to mix comedy, drama and a slight touch of romance into a very acceptable running time, and do it completely relaxed and with style.

Billy Elliot is simply not to be missed! A wonderful achievement!

An amazing film that should be shown in every grade school in the country. Dance is the vehicle that Billy chooses as his challenge yet it works as a simile for your daughter who is pitching her first T Ball game or your college son who yearns to be a fashion designer. Quite a kick in the pants for the older generation of grandparents and parents who were raised in the help wanted men and help wanted women classified ads of their generation. It's more about breaking stereotypes and staying true to your vision than it is about dance steps. Alternate futures are something we seldom think of -- there always seems to be one future or the urge to still follow in our father's footsteps or rebel against our mother's advice...this shows how many other options there are....Charmingly filmed, a small movie that opens up a big world out there.....

Billy Elliot is the story of an 11-year-old boy (Jamie Bell) brought up in a tough working class environment who attends boxing classes at the behest of his tough mining father (Gary Lewis). Unfortunately for Billy however, not only does he has to wear his grandfathers antique boxing gloves but he has no boxing talent whatsoever. Somewhat reluctantly (and secretly from his father) he is drawn into participating in the local ballet classes that take place in the same village hall. There he is taken under the wing of the teacher, Mrs Wilkinson, played by Julie Walters (Educating Rita) who soon realises that his flourishing talent may just be his ticket out of the poverty and deprivation that surround them. However, this is to the horror of his father, for not only is this dancing, it's not even the masculine dance of Gene Kelly. It is ballet, as his father would have it, only for girls and nancy boys.

Set in the north east of England during the British miners strike of 1984-5 Director Stephen Daldry perfectly captures the darkest period of British social history and the poverty suffering and devastation that it brought to so many communities in this extremely heartwarming and uplifting movie. The miners strike was the period in Britain's history when Margaret Thatcher (the Iron Lady as she became known) literally starved the coal miners, who were striking to save their jobs and the pits from closing. It literally turned neighbours against one another, brought enormous economic hardship to families and destroyed communities. And when it was all over they closed all the pits anyway and all hope was stolen from the working classes, perhaps never to be restored again.

Billy Elliot is a very good movie but I have one objection with it and all the other `gritty' British movies and that is the way the working classes are always portrayed. On the basis of Brassed Off, The Full Monty, Little Voice etc., Americans must really pity us poor British in our squalid terraced council houses and working men's clubs, cigarette permanently in one hand, beer permanently in the other, with our conversations littered with obscenities, even when speaking to kids. The reality is somewhat different and it worries me that a stereotype may begin to develop here. I, and all of my friends come from a working class background and many of the people I knew at school had fathers working in the mines. However, none of them came from a family where obscenities, cigarettes and alcohol were the norm. Certainly there is an element of society that lives like that but from my experience they tend to be the never worked, never want to work lowest of the low, who would never fight to keep a job or bring up a family. (Excuse me whilst I get off my soap box)!

Ultimately however, this is a film with a lot of charm, a lot of humour, a lot of heart and great acting performances all round (but particularly from Gary Lewis, Julie Walters and the excellent newcomer Jamie Bell as the title character). The movie is full of fine moments including Billy and his teacher performing a powerhouse dance routine to I Love to Boogie by T Rex, or when Mrs Wilkinson's daughter Debbie idly bangs a stick along the row of policemen's perspex riot shields, whilst sauntering down the street and Billy's dance of rage when his father forbids him from dancing again.

Stephen Daldry's direction and the screenplay by Lee Hall are both excellent and it is to their credit that they deal with the question of Billy's nascent sexuality, avoiding vulgarity and judgement. Billy Elliot is not a stereotypical male ballet dancer but the question of his sexuality is left open to question and to their credit the filmmakers have avoided the obvious temptation to reassure the audience that the young boy is straight, because it is irrelevant to the triumph against the odds story. Slightly confusing however, is the use of T rex throughout the soundtrack and other obvious references to the seventies, such as the sight of a Spacehopper and the game Ker-Plunk. 1984/5 was more the time of Wham, Frankie Goes To Hollywood and Duran Duran and the Spacehopper and fallen from fashion some ten years earlier (although now making a return apparently). However, any criticisms are mere details for Billy Elliot is that annual rarity, a really good British movie, that both inspires and entertains in equal volumes. Highly recommended!