Watch it if you can.

Rating: 7/10 (28 September 2000)

Billy Elliot: Good or Bad?
Having recently watched Billy Elliot , I thought I'd write a quick note about it.
I must admit, initially I agreed with the general consensus, that a film about a ballerina (not to mention a male one) had the prospect of being about as exciting as watching paint dry, but putting this thought aside, I went into the cinema with an open mind.
I'll start off by saying I'm glad I had the chance to see this film because otherwise I might have missed out on what was a compelling story. The `star to be' Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot) put in the best child performance I've seen since Hayley Joel Osment (Sixth Sense), yes it was that good of a performance. This, matched up with a sturdy support cast and a solid performance from Julie Walters, made up for an unexpected (for me anyway) good film.
The film also touches on the miners' strike as a `side track' story to Billys' ballerina exploits. This is done very well, leaving the viewer caring about both Billy and the mining community he lives in. Some of the scenes in the film are filled with such emotion that I defy even the sternest person not to be touched.
So the answer to the question posed at the top. Yes Billy Elliot is a good film, but I feel that the females out there will gain more enjoyment than the average male due to its content.
All in all though, Billy Elliot is an enjoyable film for all.