"Billy Elliot" is a slightly touching story about family coming together. The backdrop is a working-class mining family who has dealt with the mother's passing. The father (Gary Lewis) and the brother (Jamie Draven) of Billy (Jamie Bell) are locked in a bitter strike against mining management. It is during this time that young Billy turns his back on his family's boxing roots and discovers a love for ballet.
With family frustrations already at a high level, it is difficult for the manly, elder Elliots to understand and accept Billy's delicate tendencies. He's not a poof (not that there's anything wrong with that!); he just has an unlikely affinity and talent that requires nuturing. Eventually, support and acceptance springs forth from the family.
The story does grow on you a little. There are some cute parts. There are some heartwarming parts. But mostly, this is an angry family that lashes out at each other at a time when family is all that they have. |
