Review of Billy Elliot (2000) by Luke Z — 28 Mar 2010

The film 'Billy Elliot' is about a young boy raised in poor North England making his way through the distractions and difficulties in a town that leads to nowhere, to become a beautiful professional dancer.

It's hard to predict what is around the corner. The film uses a stereotypical old fashion working-class and the sorts of obstacles they had to put up with as a this class had been put through, for example one of the major hurdles was the miners strike. Billy Elliot, an eleven year old boy, who is not yet a teenager and still in his world of innocence gets thrown in to a world where the pressure is bigger then him. His mother had died, and his father and brother have issues communicating and showing emotions and don't support his choice to become a ballet dancer till later in the film.

Directed by Stephen Daldry, a talented British director. The film was a momentous hit in Britain when it was premiered in 2000. I find that Stephen Daldry over uses the metaphor of dancing as an escape from frustration, anger and helplessness.

The movie had its ups and downs I find myself frustrated that the Billy is in such a vulnerable position. But seeing the make or break moment of this the young eleven year old child really pulls your heat strings. To see a young child do such great ballet is impressive.

I find that the film is a bit dry for people who enjoy action. When thinking about the film, what comes to mind is the dancing, but when watching it there's much more to it, the dancing contrasts between the scenery and the love of dancing and music.

In short, I found this movie not my genre of film but thought that the director put a lot of thought into everything in the film to make it the best it can be and think that it is a film that many will enjoy and love.