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Billy Elliot (2000)
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Reviews Counted:112
Fresh:95
Rotten:17
Average Rating:7.2/10
Consensus: Billy Elliot is a charming movie that can evoke both laughter and tears.
Theatrical Release:Oct 13, 2000 Wide
Box Office: $17,731,130
Synopsis:
The life of 11-year old Billy Elliot (Jamie Bell), a coal miner's son in Northern England, is forever changed one day when he stumbles upon a ballet class during his weekly boxing lesson. Before...
The life of 11-year old Billy Elliot (Jamie Bell), a coal miner's son in Northern England, is forever changed one day when he stumbles upon a ballet class during his weekly boxing lesson. Before long he finds himself in dance, demonstrating the kind of raw talent seldom seen by the class's exacting instructor, Mrs. Wilkinson (Julie Walters). With a tart tongue and a never-ending stream of cigarettes in her hand, Mrs. Wilkinson's zest for teaching is revived when she sees Billy's potential. Rather forgetting the other ballerinas, she's drawn into teaching her new protégé.
But Billy must keep his participation in the class a secret from his widowed father (Gary Lewis) and overbearing brother (Jamie Draven), as both men are on strike from their jobs at the mine, and are struggling just to keep food on the table. Their pent up frustrations finally explode when they discover Billy has been squandering his boxing money on less than manly pursuits.
Banned from ballet, and troubled by the diminishing mental capacity of his grandmother (Jean Heywood), Billy finds solace with his school friend Michael (Stuart Wells) which deepens into a touching friendship. Meanwhile, Mrs. Wilkinson encourages Billy to try out for the Royal Ballet School in London, where he can refine his craft while escaping his oppressive surroundings.
But he is torn between his responsibility to his family and to the gift with which he has been blessed. For his overwhelming desire to dance is more than a means of self-expression. It is his passion, and it is his destiny.
Starring: Jamie Bell, Julie Walters, Gary Lewis, Jamie Draven
Starring: Jamie Bell, Julie Walters, Gary Lewis, Jamie Draven
Director: Stephen Daldry
Director: Stephen Daldry
Screenwriter: Lee Hall
Producer: Greg Brenman, John Finn
Composer: Stephen Warbeck
Studio: Universal Pictures
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Reviews for Billy Elliot
When sticking with Billy and his inspirational story, director Stephen Daldry hits all the right steps.
The story is familiar, to be sure, but director Stephen Daldry and writer Lee Hall tell it so persuasively it's irresistible, and the movie's score of vintage T. Rex classics could do for glam-rock what "The Full Monty" did for disco.
Billy Elliot earns every one of its sentiments and emotions without getting overly manipulative or preachy
Latest News for Billy Elliot
January 08, 2009:
RT Interview: Jamie Bell talks Defiance and Dance
Jamie Bell tap-danced his way into the national consciousness with his breakthrough performance in Billy Elliot nine years ago. Since then he has worked with heavyweight screen... More...
August 27, 2007:
Video Exclusive: Jamie Bell talks Hallam Foe, accents and Equus with RT
Rotten Tomatoes sits down with one of Britain's finest young talents to find out about his latest turn. More...
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| 98% 98% | Up |
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