Of all the movies I watched, none were as touching and uplifting as Billy Elliot. I admit, even I was a little reluctant to watch a movie about a young, working-class tough whose life is transformed when he secretly gives up boxing for ballet. Many obstacles must be overcome, including the disapproval of many of the people in young Billy’s life, especially his father. Not to mention the area he lives in is in the middle of the famous UK Miners Strike of 1984-1985.
What makes this movie more than just the typical (British) feel-good/against-the-odds film is the spectacular acting from all the characters, especially Jamie Bell, who plays the eleven year old title character. Bell was fourteen years old when he played the role of Billy, a role which won him a BAFTA (the British Oscar) for Best Actor. Julie Walters is also excellent as Billy’s no-nonsense, embittered ballet teacher; as is Gary Lewis as Billy’s father. My personal favorite character is Billy’s best friend Michael Caffrey (Stuart Wells). He is effeminate and gay, clearly out of place in a coal mining town, but the movie doesn’t dwell on that, just the touching friendship two awkward and out of place young boys, one straight, one gay, can create.
To sum it all up, Billy Elliot is the first movie in a long time that made me want to cry for joy. This is a movie that will make you laugh and cry in the best of ways. If I were Ebert, Siskel, or Roper, I’d give this film two very big thumbs up.
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