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Cast
Billy Elliott (Jamie Bell)
Mrs. Wilkinson (Julie Walters)
Mr. Elliott (Gary Lewis)
Tony (Jamie Draven)
Directed by Stephen Daldry Written by Lee Hall
Rated
R for language Running Time: 110 minutes Distributed by Universal
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Billy
Elliott is a wonderful film full of heart-felt drama. The
story takes place during the 1980’s in Northern England, and
centers around an 11-year old boy named Billy (Bell). The
life in Billy’s home hasn’t been well at all. His father (Lewis)
and brother (Darven) are in the middle of a huge coal-miner’s
strike for better pay, his grandmother sometimes wonders off
and Billy’s mother has also recently passed away. Billy’s
father continuously insists that Billy take boxing lessons,
even though the money is scarce. After being beat up and bored
with boxing, Billy carefully slips into taking ballet class
instead with a dedicated teacher in Mrs. Wilkinson (Walters).
As weeks go on, the family gets poorer and Billy’s love for
ballet grows stronger. However, Billy understands that if
his father knew he was taking ballet over boxing, he would
come unglued. So Billy keeps his mouth shut and sets forth
to hopefully find a way to prove he has a gift in ballet.
This
is one of those great little movies that are touching and
funny. The story of a young boy’s discovery even though his
family still struggles is exposed in an original and simple
form.
Director
Stephen Daldry captures some of the best visual shots of the
year. His framework isn’t anything of beautiful landscapes;
it is of his characters true emotional feelings. Daldry mixes
in subjective and objective shots that will have you crying
without the actors uttering one word of dialogue. Choices
like these are what I believe makes his filmmaking stable
and dramatic. I will not go into details of the tremendous
shots in this film, because it might stand as a spoiler. However,
these visual storytelling shots are certainly some I will
never forget.
Screenwriter
Lee Hall’s script is straightforward and pragmatic. Hall’s
plot points and devices appear clearly and give a nice flow
to the sequencing and dialogue. The dialogue does contain
excessive use of the F-word to add realism to the stressful
coal-mining workers characters. I do understand the practicality
of the language that Hall wrote in to the script. However,
I believe Billy Elliott should have been rated PG-13 instead
R. The film’s story is so strong that it didn’t need to have
the cursing in it. Also, since the film is rated R, teenagers
cannot go see this film. In which, I believe this inspirational
story would hold great ground and motivation for not only
adults, but teenagers as well. Its too bad that the language
of this film will hold back a teenage generation that needs
to see a film like this one. Furthermore, Hall creates interesting
characters to tell his story. An example is Billy’s chain
smoking and strict ballet teacher Mrs. Wilkinson. It is hard
not to like this character.
The
acting in this film is astounding, a powerhouse of feelings
and emotions. Newcomer Jamie Bell, who plays Billy, delivers
a fabulous performance and also proves he is a pretty good
dancer as well. Gary Lewis, who plays Billy’s strict father,
delivers a terrific performance with fire and ice in his actions.
Julie Walters serves up an Oscar worthy performance as Billy’s
eager ballet teacher, Mrs. Wilkinson. Walters is extremely
tolerant with her character, pacing every action one at a
time.
Billy
Elliott is a very pleasurable independent film that I highly
recommend. The film is R, so youngsters cant go, but for everyone
else don’t miss this one.
Report
Card Grade: A-
Beastman’s
Movie Reviews
Copyright, 2000 Joseph C.Tucker
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