Review of Billy Elliot (2000) by Matt H — 28 Mar 2010

Billy Elliot was a bit moving and inspiring movie that showed you that many things could be achieved if you try.

I didn't find it the most exciting and excitation movie to watch, but that's not what its about. In some ways most people will have a connection with it because its about having a dream as a young child and trying to make it happen.

Stephen Daldry's film is set in 1984, London during a minors strike with Billy Elliot stuck in the middle of it with an unusual interest for belay for a boy who's expected to be a boxer in that community. You see inner conflict in his family about the belay which he has to over come to pursue his dream.

I like the way the movie is put together by using a small poor mining town where it is hard to get out and do the stuff you want to do. These types of restrictions are shown when they are protesting and are on strike with the union. Also when Billy's dad can hardly afford to pay 50 pence to for Billy's boxing lessons. This shows a poor family that is just scraping by and don't have the opportunities that others might have. Which works well.

Music also plays a large roll in the movie. Often it will be the same pieces of music but in a different pitch or tone, like when Billy is dancing to his dad in the boxing hall and you can see the tone is a lot less bassy when he is dancing to the interviewers at the Baley school. This adds helpful mood and emotion to the movie, which I find effective.

Billy Elliot isn't a real entertaining or funny film and it didn't work for me in that way, but it has an attractive and inspiring story line. The setting, characters and music work well and follow its own story line in a unique way.