May 15, 2009: Billy Elliott
Billy Elliott is a British film about a young boy who discovers an interest in ballet dancing, and struggles against the odds and against the wishes of his working-class family and community, to pursue his dream of dancing.
I had seen this film before but wasn’t particularly struck by it. This time, the whole family was sitting down to watch and I was happy to give it another try, since it’s been well-reviewed in the years since its release back in 2000.
Billy’s father and brother are coal mine workers on strike, feeling increasing pressure day by day as the labour stalemate continues and men are forced to consider becoming scabs in order to feed their families. Billy is taking boxing lessons but becomes interested in the ballet dancing lessons being conducted in the same facility. Julie Walters plays the ballet teacher who mentors young Billy and helps him to approach his family and stand up for what he wants to do. There are harsh words and painful memories in this family ripped apart by the mother’s suicide years ago, but in the end the love among them all comes through and holds them together.
Homophobia is examined, with the immediate assumption of most people being that Billy must be gay if he wants to be a ballet dancer. In fact, Billy likes ballet and isn’t gay, but it turns out that one of his best friends is realizing his homosexuality and has also made the same assumption about Billy, leading to an awkward encounter. This could have been dealt with in a cliched or heavy-handed way, but it’s sensitively handled.
Overall, I was far more impressed with this film the second time around. It’s still pretty much a foregone feel-good conclusion but I can’t imagine anyone would expect or want anything else. My only serious complaint is that some of the character turnarounds, particularly Billy’s father, were too quick and convenient to be believable, but I suppose there wouldn’t be much point in dragging them out. Billy Elliott is what it is, and doesn’t apologize for it. Director Stephen Daldry isn’t necessarily my favourite, having brought us the more complex and mature The Reader winning Oscars last year, which also didn’t really win me over on a first viewing.
Competent but predictable feel-good tale.
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