Rating: 
Summary: Go Billy go...
Review: Stephen Daldrys latest effort has no car chases, no explosions, no special fx, a minimal amount of naked flesh, takes place in the most unscenic of english industrial towns, is unbelievably sappy in parts and which has the dreariest looking cast of characters ever seen in an english picture since 'George & Mildred'. So why I had to ask myself did I leave the theatre 10 feet of the ground feeling so good about myself and ready to give the human race one more benefit of the doubt.This is unabashedly one of those feel good films of the year and dosent pretend to be otherwise. The simple plot of young working class lad with striking miner father who shows a penchant for the ballet to the squeamishness of his father and brother has been well documented by other reviewers better than me. The exceptional performances by Jamie Bell as the budding dancer and Julie Walters as the burnt out cynical dance teacher have received all the credit that is their due. Undoubtedly the story is flawed in some parts to allow for heterosexual tastes. The scene that proves Billys straight as an arrow who just wants to dance to prove to homophobics that not all dancers are poofs. Just one minor complaint that dose not add or detract from the story. Billy Elliot is up against some big guns at this years oscars. Gladiator, Traffic, Erin Brockovich are all commendable efforts which will receive their fair amount of kudos this year, and Jamie and Julie will no doubt lose out to Russel Crowe or Tom Hanks or Julia Roberts But for all that I still place it in the top ten of my personal best list. Its been a long time since I felt so good leaving a cinema...I dont want to lose that feeling.
Rating:
Summary: Great, Perfect, Wonderful!!!
Review: That's definitly the best movie I've ever seen in my whole life. The story is so simple but very heart-touching.I've seen it for 5 times.Always when the movie had ended the whole audience was silent.At my last visit I had almost cried because there are lots of details you don't recognize at the 1st or 2nd visit. Jamie Bell's performence as Billy is very impressive. Billy Elliot derserves the higest recognition, I was dissapointed when I heard it doesn't get a Oscar nomination for Best Picture. Can't wait to own it on DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: See it. You'll be better for it.
Review: Yes . . . there are a bunch of cliches thrown around in this movie but if you want to see a good-natured, good-hearted film, watch this movie. You'll feel great! And besides, the dialogue is well written, the acting is great, and the filming is well done.
Rating:
Summary: Coal Miner's daughter?
Review: I'm not being fascietious. That's what Billy's father, Jackie probably thought when he was confronted with the painful (to him) realization that his 11 year old son wanted to do Ballet. Boys do Boxing, like he and Billy's grandfather did, or wrestle - "they don't do ballet". Well, Billy takes after his deceased mother who played piano and whom, Billy's grandmother tells him, could have been a professional dancer. Billy enjoys watching Fred Astaire dance in those old movies and when he starts watching the ballet lessons that share the gym with his boxing classes - he's hooked. The film is set in Durham, England during the bitter coal miners strikes of 1984. The social tensions and economic hardships are portrayed with frequent views of riot clad policemen and in the difficulty Jackie and Tony (Billy's foul mouthed older brother) have in just feeding the family. The tensions are of course there when father and brother find out that Billy has been taking the money for boxing and attending ballet classes. The film handles the family relationships well. Jamie Bell (Billy) is excellent in portraying the passion with which he comes to have for his dancing and the acting of Gary Lewis as Jackie - showing outrage, disapproval, grudging acceptance and then support, largely with facial expressions - is excellent. There is a scene that shows this subtle acting best. Billy, dancing and Jackie watching, show their feelings completely without a word being expressed. A very good 'feel good' movie, light on the sentimentality and just enough weight on the 'heavy' topic of father and son relationship.
Rating:
Summary: A thoroughly enjoyable story of triumph!
Review: This simply ranks for me to be one of the best movies put out in 2000! Jamie Bell is to be commended for his extremely fine character portrayal of Billy Elliot. This is the first movie I've seen that actually uses manages to use dance as a dialogue. The scene of Billy showing his father JUST how adept he is at dancing while displaying a completely hardened look on his face in defiance of his father is worth the price of seeing the film in itself! It's a great tale of trial and triumph and it is simply NOT to be missed!
Rating:
Summary: Billy Sir, Billy Eliott
Review: What can you say about Billy Elliot other than it deserves to win every award going. The main part played be an unkown Jamie Bell has helped this film as he has put his heart in to it and made Billy have a special place in all of our hearts. The story of how a boy who lives in a poor area in the middle of a coal mining strike is pushed into doing boxing when he really wants to dance is a bit different to the action films that are always being churned out. The storyline is sensitive to loads of different areas that will make this appeal to everyone. Julie Walters has to be commended for her part as the ballet teacher, i feel that she was the best person for the part. (chain smoker and full of sarcasim) The sound track that was selected for the film is the best that i have ever seen for any film. Stephen Gately provided the song I Believe which is fantastic which is followed up by The Jam And if that wasn't good enough that is backed up by T-Rex. Overall Billy Elliot is the film that has captivated everyone and this is a film that everyone should own as it will be one that can be watched repeatedly without you getting bored. (i went to the cinema 7 times)
Rating:
Summary: Its Brilliant
Review: I have seen this movie last week. It was released only then in Holland. I was very impressed by it. Shows two plots. The ignorence of those that say, " boys can't be dancers", and the love of one of the boys for the other ( Billy Elliot )...I find the rating in the US absurd..18y...its a nice movy with wonderfull unknown actors..absolutly brilliant.....The movie of the year already..a must for all...
Rating: 
Summary: Boxing to Ballet?
Review: In today's professional sports, there are a lot of football players who take ballet to improve their leaping skills and speed rates, but I don't understand the entire point of this movie. I really like the character who portrayed Billy: he was a real emotional and solid character that you really had to enjoy. But, going from a sport that is about fists to a sport that is about grace made him look like somewhat of a wimp, and I don't think that was his role. Billy Elliot was to be a real winner, someone who has his mind set on success and no one has a remote chance of getting in his way. I would say that that character quality was addressed, but the movie tried to make him look like a kind of weirdo, not a sparkplug. The idea of this movie was good, but most of the movie showed him being looked at as feminine, which ruined the whole cause of the movie. The one pleasant surprise was that he didn't quit boxing because of an injury or peer pressure for the most part. All in all, it had problems staying on the correct topic, which is unfortunate and really disabled the entertainment level.
Rating:
Summary: A TRIUMPH FOR THE ODD ONE OUT
Review: This is without doubt the best film of 2000 and, for me, the best I have seen in a very long time. Newcomer Jamie Bell has that rare talent few actors have of making you very concerned about what happens to the character they play. For me it captures beautifully the pain of being at odds with those around you, and the determination to succeed in the face of adversity. The supporting cast is superb, with very powerful and emotional performances. I have seen this film no less than 5 times at the cinema and enjoyed it as much every time. There are many parts to this movie that capture your imagination, but the scene where Billy's brother Tony confronts his father at the pit, when he crosses the picket line, is simply one of the most emotionally charged scenes I have ever seen, in any film, and it stayed with me long after I first saw it, I highly recommend this film to anyone who likes well acted and true to life British drama.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This film was delightful. The determination and wonderful dancing kept me captivated. I found the father's pain and conflicted feelings to be profound and honestly portrayed. It's one of those movies for me--so touching that I carry it with me, long after the show finished. I can't wait to see it again.
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