Billy Elliot | | Cast : | Jamie Bell, Julie Walters | | Director : | Stephen Daldry | | Studio : | Universal Studios | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen | | Released Date : | January 01, 2000 | | DVD Released Date : | March 04, 2003 | | Language : | French (Dubbed), English (Dubbed), English (Original Language) | | Audience Rating : | R (Restricted) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | June 25, 2005 | | Summary | Jitterbug Boogie | Content
 | "Billy Elliot" is British theatrical director Stephen Daldry's film debut, and what a seamless crossover. Even more amazing is the acting debut of Jamie Bell in the title role. Rumor has it that some 2000 young boys were ruled out first, but it's a wonder anyone was found who met the criteria at all. Despite his youth, Bell gives a top-notch performance as both a dancer AND an actor.
This is a story of a family in a mining town in north England during a strike in 1984. Billy's Dad and older brother are both miners, and his Mom is recently deceased. Billy has been enrolled in boxing lessons, but takes an interest in the ballet class across the gym, and the dance instructor quickly picks up on this. Inevitable conflicts ensue, etc. That's enough plot information; I'm just here to tell you that everyone involved in "Billy Elliot" contributed their best efforts to make it a fine film, and succeeded. In addition to the aforementioned Daldry and Bell, there is Jamie Draven as Billy's brother Tony, Gary Lewis as Billy's father, and Julie Walters as his dance teacher. The movie contains drama without sensationalism, much humor, and of course music and dance; something for everyone.
There is some coarse language, but it's not gratuitous. And surprisingly, the T Rex-based soundtrack fits in perfectly. I'm willing to go out on a limb here and suggest that not only will "Billy Elliot" hold up to repeated viewings, but actually improve with them. A winner! |
| Rating | | | Date | June 15, 2005 | | Summary | Fantastic, Moving, Feel Good Movie | Content
| Love Billy Elliot, this is a gritty, fast moving film, set in a tough mining town in the North of England. Acting is superb without exception, and the music great. Jamie Bell, is perfect for this role and is outstanding throughout. The language is course, but depicts the tough outspoken people of the mining communites in England and is appropriate in the movie, however parents should be warned. My teens watched the movie and loved it, they don't use bad language and I knew that watching this movie would not cause them to start. I warned them of the language prior to watching, but that is all. They really enjoyed it and have seen it again and again. It is both funny and extremely moving - great job Mr Daldry. |
| Rating | | | Date | April 10, 2005 | | Summary | A movie worth watching! | Content
| Billy Elliot, brings to the screen the story of a boy growing up in Northern England as he discovers his love for dancing. The setting is 1984. The government and the coal miners are in the middle of a dispute, which the former will eventually win. As a result, Billy's family cannot afford the basics yet alone Dance School.
Billy Elliot is a film about human relations, hope and second chances, but most importantly about trust, love, integrity, and inner strength.
Jamie Bell, Gary Lewis, Julie Walters, Nicola Blackwell, and the rest of the cast have truly outdone themselves with their performances, which are extraordinary to say the least! All the actors, without exceptions, give it their 100% and it really shows!
The only setbacks are in relation to why did Billy not get together with Debbie, his teacher's daughter, since they both seem to hit it off so well, and secondly what was the point of "Michael?" Why even include this character in the film??? The movie was just fine without him.
Moreover, Billy's father and more so his brother Tony, were extremely rude to his teacher when a simple "no thanks" would suffice. Yes, they are going through difficult times, but that is no reason to be so overly impolite. Therefore, that was not very realistic.
Aside from that, the plot, the setting, and the music, are all wonderful!
Overall, it is a movie definitely worth watching, and even though you might want to stop short of adding it to your collection, it will surely provide for an evening's entertainment!
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| Rating | | | Date | March 29, 2005 | | Summary | I Love It!!! | Content
| I might as well come right out and say it. I love this Billy Elliot. I can't give it an objective review. I think it's cute and sweet and it made me feel happy when I left the theatre. And you should see it.
Billy Elliot is about a boy who decides not to continue the boxing lessons his father wishes him to take, and opts instead for ballet lessons. Billy has to confront everyone's prejudices about males dancing ballet, especially his brother and father's, as well as maneuver ways to continue lessons.
Billy Elliot is done very much in the style of old 1950s movies, but it includes more modern-day themes and confronts issues of sexuality that the likes of Humphrey Bogart and Cary Grant never would have seen in their movies.
Admittedly, it's kind of a corny story. But I like it. What can I say? |
| Rating | | | Date | March 28, 2005 | | Summary | A really delightful film... | Content
| ...Billy Elliot captures and propels the importance of creativity and in this film the discovery of Billy's talent seems to somehow heal and transcend a families collective pain.
Set agaisnt the backdrop of the 1984 miner's strike in England, the Elliot family reside in a small North Eastern coal town.
Bily's Father and Brother are striking miner's and his sweet Grandmother is slowly loosing her grip on reality; the family is also fractured by the recent loss of Billy's Mum. All of them seem to quietly grieving and seathingly blaming each other.
Money is tight and the existance is gritty with little hope of change.
Billy stumbles across dance lessons in the local recreation hall when his "boxing" lessons prove pointless.
His dance teacher spots his potential and the story develops around his budding talent which clashes awkwardly with the macho culture he finds himself in.
There are some sublime moments of tender comedy, particularly with Billy's friends Michael and the dance teacher's daughter, Debbie. These moments perfectly capture the free and developing spirit of children as they struggle to assimilate this and their social expectations.
Billy's dancing is energetic and emotive and appears to be a cross between gritty modern moves and bouncy balletic/tap.
The number's are full of energy and raw emotion, Billy's tantrum dance to the Jam's "Town called Malice" is particularly memorable.
Culture clash and intimidation intrude again when Billy and his Father have to attend an audition at the tightly upper crust Royal Ballet School in London.
A wonderful film with some excellent performances, Bell is absolutley cracking. Walters is good as the disaffected dance teacher but for me Billy's Father and his freind Michael are strikingly memorable and powerful. |
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