Billy Elliot

March 13, 2005January 20, 2012 B. John 267 Views Billy Elliot, Dance, Family, Jamie Bell, Jean Haywood, Stephe Daldry

Billy Elliot (2000) A talented young boy becomes torn between his unexpected love of dance and the disintegration of his family.

Directed by
Stephen Daldry

Genres
Comedy, Drama

Cast
Jamie Bell, Jean Heywood, Jamie Draven, Gary Lewis, Stuart Wells, Mike Elliot, Billy Fane, Nicola Blackwell, Julie Walters, Carol McGuigan, Joe Renton, Colin MacLachlan, Janine Birkett, Trevor Fox, Charlie Hardwick

With a seemingly run-of-the-mill storyline – that of an 11-year-old schoolboy wanting to be a ballet dancer – it is quite a feat to have made a movie as warm and entertaining as this.

Quite simply, this is the best British movie in years. All the characters are intriguing, and the acting is flawless, most notably from 14-year-old Jamie Bell whose acting is utterly convincing, filled with humour and insight beyond his years. He is also a fantastic dancer, and some of the dance sequences are reminiscent of the dance-filled musicals of the old black and white movies.

The backdrop of the historic miners’ strike of the mid-1980s, it brings the story down to the earth and adds the necessary tension to make this film truly believable and a worthy story to tell.

I find it hard to see how anyone would not like this film.

(1 votes, average: 9.00 out of 10)

B. John

Records and Content Management consultant who enjoys good stories and good discussion. I have a great deal of interest in politics, religion, technology, gadgets, food and movies, but I enjoy most any topic. I grew up in Kings Mountain, a small N.C. town, graduated from Appalachian State University and have lived in Atlanta, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Dayton and Tampa since then.