smashing success

Rating: 10/10 (21 November 2000)

Once in a lifetime does a film actually capture the true essence of what life is like at 11. Many have tried, and are either embarrassing or just schmaltzy. Billy Elliot is neither. The casting is superb, and the acting is top notch, right down to the common family mannerisms shown so frequently throughout. The SINGULAR problem I have is Billy's amazing Tap dancing when he is being trained in ballet. (tap is VERY different; I know). this one minute problem aside, I was enthralled from beginning to end.