Over the weekend Isaw the film Billy Elliot and I wrote this review for My Movies.

Billy Elliot has not been a hugely marketed film and in fact the first time we heard about it in Australia was from Planet Out not any of the mainstream papers or sites. Whilst I didn't really know what to expect when In went along to see the movie, being a fan of English Cinema I had high expectations.

I wasn't disapointed by this film at all it gave so very much more than I had hoped or expected!

Billy is the eleven year old son of a striking miner in the 1984 /85 mine strikes which plagued England under the thumb of the Tyrant Thatcher. Billy, lovingly portrayed by a precocious and talented 13 year old Jamie Bell is a working class kid, lost in a world of despair. Having lost a mother to an unnamed illness and having half a father torn between his own emotions at losing a wife and the great mine strike and the shame of not being able to provide for his own family.

This is not just Billy's story but that of he and his father. Billy discovers his love for dance and the new world into which he can escape and the bleak dark rreality of the small North Eastern English town of Everington. Billy is encouraged, cajoled and loved by the local dance teacher Mrs Wilkinson, played by the amazing Julie Walters. Julie brings out the gritty character of a northern middle class wife who sees a spark of genius in the young Billy.

The story is not unique, a young child being plucked from some small dead end town and turing out to have some magical gift. It is the touching way that the story is displayed, the childesh naivety and at the same time cynicsm of Billy that makes the heart strings go.

By far one of the most poignant parts of the film is the friendship between local boy Micheal and Billy. Micheal who enjoys cross dressing and is painfully in love with Billy shows his affection and is at once thrilled and terrified of the consequences. The homophobia in the town and in Billy's family is obvious, but Billy accepts the love and affection as a true friend does, with neither fear nor rejection just simple aceptance. The poignant moment is when Billy leaves the town to pursue his dreams and rather and kisses Micheal on the cheek in full view of the neighbours and his father. This small gesture speaks volumes about Billy's character.

A small criticism of the moview is the final scene showing micheal as a transvestite in London ten or so years later. Just because someone is gay doesnt mean that they are all transvestites, drag queens or flowery weirdos. Come on BBC show some normal poofters, ones that have good jobs are normal and are just like the rest of society.

All in all Billy Elliot is a superb film well worth a look and one that will definitley be added to my DVD collection when it is released!

12:32:00 PM