BILLY ELLIOT Blu-ray Review: Heart-Warming Tale Of Perseverance & Success
An excellent film has been given a superb Blu-ray release by Universal, with stellar visual and audio quality and a host of special features that will satisfy the most passionate of fans. You won’t be disappointed adding this to your collection!
Billy Elliot danced its way into the hearts of many audiences at the dawn of the new millennium, released today on Blu-ray for the first time its bound to have the same effect on a whole new generation of viewers! Our review follows In County Durham during the endless, violent 1984 strike against the Thatcher closure of British coal mines, widower Jackie Elliot (Gary Lewis) is finding it hard to make ends meet. First son and fellow miner Tony (Jamie Draven) is out on the picket lines fighting the closures, whilst clashing with his father at home. Second son, 11-year-old Billy (Jamie Bell) is virtually ignored by Jackie, who takes a dim view of his sons poor performance in his weekly boxing class. Things worsen when both Jackie and Tony discover that Billy has secretly started attending a ballet class run by Mrs Wilkinson (Julie Walters). With Jackie refusing to let him continue classes and Tony mocking his younger brother, only Billys schoolmate Michael (Stuart Wells) encourages him. When Mrs Wilkinson offers him secret private tuition, Billy cannot refuse. As his teacher becomes increasingly impressed with his dedication to training and his remarkable talent, she encourages him to try out for the world-renowned Royal Ballet School with an audition. Perhaps the prospect of a successful career that could only be a distant dream for those stuck in their surroundings, may finally alter his familys opposition and turn it into crucial support? Billy Elliot is a tale that has been told many times before in a number of guises: someone decides to undertake a mammoth task that they seem sure to fail, also to the disapproval of those closest to them, only to succeed and win the approval of those who once cast aspersions on their dream. Whilst the film may find its basis in the age-old notions of such a story, Billy Elliot remains a moving, inspirational account that has an impact on even the most emotionless members of an audience. The story tackles the overcoming of aversion, plus the politics of family and gender constraints, to create a narrative that is simultaneously full of hope and gritty realism. Set against the harsh and poverty stricken realities of the 1984 miners strike, the film immediately sets up its characters as people set in their ways and resistant to change. The setting and location reflect the drudgery of the time and it is only Billys dancing scenes that elevate the character out of the gloominess and depression of a meagre existence. The film boldly tackles issues of gender and sexuality, plus the prejudice that comes with a poor, uneducated community. As soon as Billys Dad discovers hes been having ballet lessons, it is immediately assumed that this is a poofy thing to do, as dancing is for girls (regardless of the fact that some of the worlds most famous dancers have very much been heterosexual Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire for example, both of whom are mentioned by characters or featured in the film). Billy manages to determine that he shouldnt have to conform to his familys antiquated views of gender roles (primarily through his deceased mothers letter telling him to always be who he wants to be) and he embarks on his lessons stressing that just because he dances, it doesnt mean that hes gay. (Its interesting to note however, that the only character to back him from the beginning is Billys best friend, who is gay). When Billys father finally notices that his son is actually extremely talented, motions set about to changing the familys opinions in fact the whole community gets behind Billy in his efforts to join the Royal Ballet School. Therefore, the film is equally about how one individual can be successful in changing a generally consensual mind set for the better. With wonderful dance scenes and hard-hitting moments of family drama, the film is splice of working class, 80s life in the north and the strong sense of realism makes it a thoroughly engaging film. Jamie Bell as Billy is truly the star of the show, managing to successfully play the most emotionally fraught scenes with as much proficiency as he does the dance sequences. His ebullience when dancing is expressive and infectious, whilst his abilities to capture the characters deep initial resentment towards his father and brother and unhappiness at the loss of his mother and his subsequently hard upbringing makes Billy an immediately sympathetic and likeable character. Julie Walters is similarly engaging as the teacher who manages to propel Billy into the world of dance. The actress embodies the characters unique teaching style in a humorous but charming way, making Mrs Wilkinson a friendly but powerful woman. Gary Lewis and Jamie Draven as Billys father and brother are both perfectly cast, highlighting the harsh existence of a miner and the fraught tensions surrounding the strike that plays so heavily in the background of the narrative. They both exhibit stereotypical qualities of manliness within their performances, which helps reinforce the strain and drama surrounding Billys desire top dance. Essentially, the performances by the entire cast work harmoniously to create a film that is simultaneously realistic and gratifying.