In a northern England mining town, miners are on strike and the atmosphere is tense. Eleven-year old Billy Elliot, Jamie Bell whose father, Gary Lewis III, and brother Tony, Jamie Draven are participating in the strike, whose mother has died quite some time ago and whose grandmother is not completely aware of what's going on, doesn't like the brutal boxing lessons at school. Instead, he falls for the girls' ballet lessons.
His overwhelming desire to dance becomes much more to him than simply a means of self-expression. It is his passion, and it is his destiny.
When his folks find out about this unusual love of his, Billy is in trouble. Being supported by the ballet teacher, Mrs. Wilkinson, he keeps on training secretly while the work situation as well as the problems at home get worse. Finally, Mrs. Wilkinson manages to get Billy an audition for the Royal Ballet School, but now he also has to open his heart to his family.
This Comedy/Drama is rated R for language.
Aside from Bell, Draven and Lewis, the cast includes Julie Walters, Jean Heywood, Trevor Fox and Billy Fane.
The film was directed by Stephen Daldry, produced by Greg Brenman and Jon Finn, written by Lee Hall and released by Universal
The film’s running time is 1 hour and 51 minutes.
In its debut, this movie made a total of $2,800,000.
Official Site: www.billyelliot.com. - Albawaba.com.
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
