Billy Elliot Main Cast:
Director: Stephen Daldry Rating: 4 Stars. Recommended. Plot Summary: This British film tells the story of Billy Elliot, a young boy, growing up in a small North East mining town. Set in the background of the miners strike in the early 80's Billy's father and brother are hardline union officials. Both his older brother and father are out on strike, his mother is dead, his grandmother is senile, his friend is acting strange and if that wasn't bad enough Billy gives up his boxing lessons to join the ballet class! As if this eleven-year-old boys hadn't got enough to tend with! It's no surprise that Billy keeps his newfound interest a secret. It's not easy to tell a tough mining family that you've hung up your boxing gloves for a pair of ballet shoes. "boys don't do ballet, they play football, boxing, wrestling" Review: A simple story that is told very well. It tells the story of a young boy's struggle to break away from the "norm" and shows the pressure that everyone is under to conform to what is expected of them. Whether it is pressure on workers to join the strike or a young boy who wants to do ballet lessons instead of boxing. Plenty of laughs in this film but it also depicts the tragic hardship that the two-year miners strike had on families and communities. The acting is convincing and the characters protrayed are real and likeable. Good performances from Julie Walters and Gary Lewis. Jamie Bell in particular was excellent. The film has some great music hits from bands like T. Rex and The Jam and the dance routines are lively. Swan Lake meets T. Rex! Lasting thought from this film: Always be yourself. Reviewed by Niall Quinn, PremierMovieReviews |