Review: Billy Elliot (2000)

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Billy Elliot

Rating

Director

Stephen Daldry

Screenplay

Lee Hall

Length

1h 50m

Starring

Jamie Bell, Jean Heywood, Jamie Draven, Gary Lewis, Stuart Wells, Mike Elliot, Billy Fane, Nicola Blackwell, Julie Walters

MPAA Rating

Review

As a child, what your parents think of you is of the utmost importance. To do something that isn’t considered appropriate for you to do, you must take control and prove that it is.

Newcomer Jamie Bell plays the titular “Billy Elliot,” a young boy who realizes a passion for ballet dancing, despite an environment opposed to such pursuits for young boys. Billy is the son of a coal miner named Jackie (Gary Lewis) who has joined a union strike against the mine. Billy’s mother died several years earlier and he spends much of his time caring for his infirmed, absent-minded grandmother (Jean Heywood). The only other resident of the household is his brother Tony (Jamie Draven) who is constantly angry at the world and manages to discourage Billy every chance he gets.

While attending boxing practice, Billy observes a ballet class at the other end of the auditorium and falls in love with the dance. Much of his enthusiasm stems from his love of classic Hollywood musicals, where the men danced with grace and style. He begins taking lessons with Mrs. Wilkinson (Julie Walters) and using his boxing class money on his new interest without his father’s knowledge.

Bell could have been so much better in this role. He seems to have what it takes to become a better actor, but his constant look of consternation detracts from his subtle emotional desires. As his ballet instructor, Walters is terrific. She is delightfully resolute in her opinions and her desire to aid Billy on his quest of dancing. Lewis is neither astounding, nor dull. While he matches his on-screen son in stereotypical outrage at his son’s desires, his subsequent metamorphosis is splendid.

The best part about “Billy Elliot” isn’t its better-than-average performances, it isn’t the overly sentimental conclusion, nor is it the abysmal pacing. The best part of the film is the message that no youth, regardless of their gender should be forced to pursue a pastime that they do not enjoy, simply because it is acceptable to the society at a whole.

To prove that your passion for a venue is more important than how others would view you or your child is a monumental task. For every boy who played with dolls or performed an activity once thought “girly;” for every girl who played sports or was considered a “Tom boy;” “Billy Elliot” acts as a persistent reminder that regardless of the pursuit, the emotional satisfaction is far more important than opinions of others.