‘Billy Elliot’ dances into the USA
Bryce Casselman, Staff Writer
Change through courage is the theme throughout “Billy Elliot,” the story of a boy who discovers a love for ballet and then must overcome social and economic barriers to realize his dreams.
Billy (Jamie Bell) is 11 when he is enrolled in a boxing class at a local boy’s club hall, which is shared by a ballet class taught by Mrs. Wilkinson (Julie Walters). Billy joins the ballet class, keeping it secret from his father (Gary Lewis) and his older brother Tony (Jamie Draven) who are out-of-work miners on strike in Northern England.
Not only is Billy’s family suffering economically from the strike, having to bust up a piano at one point in the film so they could have wood for a fire on Christmas Day, but they are also suffering from the death of Billy’s mother.
One of the most touching parts of the film is a moment between Billy and Mrs. Wilkinson, where Billy shares with her a letter his mother had written to him before she had died. As Mrs. Wilkinson reads the letter, Billy stares into space and recites each word along with her from memory, clinging to the last connection he has to one he loved so much. After reading the letter, Mrs. Wilkinson says something about his mother being a special person and Billy simply replies, “Not really, just me Mum.”
Billy’s father is completely against him learning ballet until he finds Billy dancing late at night in the boys club. Instead of arguing with his father, Billy dances for him with all the emotion he can find within himself and changes his father’s opinion.
Throughout the course of the movie, Billy’s family transforms from a limping heap of anger and frustration to a family pulling together and sacrificing for the dream of a young boy and growing closer because of it.
Other characters add balance to the film. Billy’s grandmother, who lives with the family, adds a presence of frailty and innocence to heavy scenes. Billy’s best friend, dealing with issues of his own sexuality, and Mrs. Wilkinson’s daughter, who is also taking ballet and holds a fancy for young Elliot, keep the story moving.
Throughout the movie the dialogue is honest, packed with the hard words that come from difficult situations and the stresses and choices that accompany them.
Billy is asked at one point in the film how he feels when he dances and after a lot of muttering and thinking out loud, he finally settles with one word, “Electricity.”
“Billy Elliot” is not only about ballet, but the dance of life. It asks viewers to reflect on where they are heading and whether or not their destinations fall in line with where their hearts want to be.
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