A real dandy that's without doubt one of the year's best.

Rating: 9/10 (18 April 2001)

Inspired by the actual events surrounding a strike by British coal-miners in the mid-eighties, "Billy Elliot" is the tale of Billy Elliot (Jamie Bell), an eleven year-old boy who is slowly, but quickly attracted to ballet dancing and is taught by Mrs. Wilkinson (Julie Walters), the chain-smoking dance instructor to become one himself despite that his grumpy Dad (Gary Lewis) and Billy's older brother, Tony (Jamie Draven) who once oppose Billy's dream before seeing the potential that Billy has. It's well-acted by all (notably Bell, Lewis, and especially Walters, who garned a Best Supporting Actress nomination), masterfully written by Lee Hall and directed by Stephen Daldry, who both earned Oscar nominations. Unfortunately, the film is another innocent casualty of the MPAA, who has given it an "R" rating (and not "PG-13") although the F-word is mentioned several times, but it's used in a respectful manner and not carelessly. I honestly don't get it? Despite that fact, "Billy Eliot" is a real dandy that's without doubt one of the year's best.