Billy Elliot (2000)

Director: Stephen Daldry

Starring: Jamie Bell, Julie Walters, Jean Heywood, Gary Lewis

A talented young boy becomes torn between his unexpected love of dance and the disintegration of his family.

All 11-year old Billy Elliot (Jamie Bell) wants to do is dance. But back in 1984, when the movie is set, dancing boys were not well accepted. By chance – during a miner’s strike – the ballet class practices at Billy’s gym, where he is taking boxing lessons. Driven by his desire to dance, he joins in.

When Billy’s dad, Jackie (Gary Lewis), finds out about Billy’s dancing in the ballet class and bans him from dancing, Billy’s teacher Mrs Wilkinson (Julie Walters) offers to give him private lessons, unbeknownst to Jackie. She believes he is good enough to audition for the Royal Ballet School. What follows is a good coming-of-age story, as well as great character development – especially Billy and Jackie. (I actually thought Jackie was adorable later in the film, and so well portrayed by Gary Lewis).

‘Billy Elliot’ is a wonderful example to follow one’s dream, and not to judge a book by its cover, as the saying goes. This was a very good watch.

‘Billy Elliot’ was a huge box office success, earning $109 million on a $5 million budget. It received 127 award nominations (including Oscar nominations for Best Director, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Screenplay), winning 55.

Would I watch it again? Maybe.