Review of Billy Elliot (2000) by James H — 28 Aug 2010

A story about a boy struggling to become his own person (which is a bit strange for how young he is. Billy is a young boy somewhere in a European small town with a father and brother who work in the mines. They persist in making him take lessons in boxing though he is terrible... till one day across the gym he finds a new sport to take up. Across the gym a woman is teaching ballet classes which he begins doing for curiousity's sake. He does well and the teacher begins to encourage him to try harder so he can one day go to the Royal Ballet School in London. Just one problem.... his family thinks he's still boxing and find that sort of thing "poofy".

Like most British movies it draws you in with a strange charm though you'd have to listen carefully or you may misunderstand something due to a heavy accent of an actor or two. It's rather enjoyable, great acting and is able to keep you in it to root for the boy's success. A little uneasy here or there with how some adults treat their kids but stil.

The music.... the soundtrack is great It has classic british rockbands and singers ranging from The Clash, David Bowie, to The Jam.

It's definately worth a look. Buy or rent... or maybe watch it on TV (since it comes on often on a few channels every so often).

Also there is a musical based on this with the involvement of Elton Jhon.