Billy Elliot †Film Review Essay

Recently I watched a film entitled Billy Elliot. I personally thought that the film was great in several ways, scripts, film techniques .etc. Every aspects of the film were thought out with detail. The film was set in 1984 when the miners’ strike took place. The unique setting adds to why I like this film so much. Billy Elliot was directed by Stephen Daldry, and 1st published in the year 2000. Today this film still remains popular as a family movie. The story was told from the main character point of view, that is Billy Elliot (Jamie Bell). Billy was an eleven year old boy who has a dream to become a ballet dancer, after inheriting his mother’s love for dance and music. Unfortunately, Billy’s dream was opposed by his father, Jackie (Gary Lewis) and his brother (Jamie Draven). Every member of Billy’s family were coal miners and expected Billy to follow the same footsteps. However, this does not shatter Billy’s dream. Billy, supported by his friend, Michael (Stuart Wells), chooses to attend ballet classes outside his family’s knowledge. The film’s setting was in 1984 when a yearlong strike took place in Britain. Billy’s parents happen to be the coal miners involved in the strike. Throughout the film, the family’s struggle through the strike was filmed with much detail. Meanwhile Billy Elliot hopes to be a dancer. Billy’s father has already had enough struggles with the strike, and is enraged when he finds out the Billy has been attending classes without him knowing, and forbids ballet. Billy still remains firm and continued to pursue his dreams. Would Billy achieve his dream? Watch the film and find out. The main theme of Billy Elliot is mainly family issues and stereotyping. The film was set in the 1980s when stereotyping was done often. This affects Billy who wants to become a ballet dancer. Unfortunately, it was not only the public who stereotyped but Billy’s family too! After neither Billy nor his family are giving in to either accept Billy’s wish or to give up, family issues occur. The harsh struggle during the strike means even more family issues. If you pay attention various film techniques were used such as: music, the lightings or the camera’s angle. An example would be the image of the sky representing that the world is opening up as Billy is leaving for London. Sad moments include when everybody else is indoors celebrating Christmas as on the contrary, Billy’s father has to destroy the piano for wood to burn. The movie Billy Elliot is directed towards any age group, however it is not recommended for children under thirteen due to inappropriate aspects such as swearing or violence. Overall I give the film was great and I give it four out of five stars.