Set in the North of Thatcher's England during the miners' strike of 1984 this film is reminiscent of Brassed Off and The Full Monty. Billy Elliot (Jamie Bell) is twelve, his mum's died recently and the family – Dad (Gary Lewis) and brother Tony (Jamie Draven) plus senile granny (Jean Heywood) are consumed by grief. To add to their woes Dad and Tony are on strike from the local mine. Confrontation between the cops and the angry miners seems imminent. Meanwhile Billy takes leave of absence from his boxing class to join the girls in the ballet class led by Mrs. Wilkinson (Julie Walters). He has a natural inclination to dance and a natural talent. But unfortunately Dad and Tony don't seem to appreciate that.
This is another feel-good movie from England, a debut effort from director Stephen Daldry and it's certainly full of charm, largely because of the beguiling performance from young Jamie Bell who understood Billy Elliot from his own efforts to train as a tap dancer. I must say the tap training shows in the dance sequences. Julie Walters brings something rather touching to her usual hard-bitten character, the performances generally are top rate. The film does at times bend over backwards for a laugh, it's just a touch too cute for its own good. But it's undoubtedly a crowd-pleaser.
David's comment:
This is getting to be very familiar territory (what happened to the Aussie film, KICK, completed 2 years ago, about a part-Aboriginal student football player who becomes a ballet dancer?) I felt a bit manipulated, though Jamie Bell is good and Julie Walters unusually fine as the middle-aged woman who sees the possibilities in the boy. Since Walters (for once) doesn't overact, it's a pity Gary Lewis as the father overacts so badly, and that it's all so predictable. But if you want feel good, this is it. (I prefer BOOTMEN).
Watch 'Billy Elliot'
Thursday 20 May, 9:20pm on SBS World Movies
Friday 21 May, 12:00pm on SBS World Movies
Friday 21 May, 12:00pm on SBS World Movies
(NOTE: No catch-up at SBS On Demand)
M
UK, 2000
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Language: English
Director: Stephen Daldy
Starring: Jamie Bell, Julie Walters, Jamie Draven, Jean Heywood
