Almost flawless

Rating: 9/10 (22 August 2001)

I was prepared to love this film when I read the descriptions, and with one minor exception, my wish was fulfilled. This is a compelling story of a young boy's courage to pursue his dream, despite its being completely antithetical to the cultural expectations of the town in which he lived. In a mining town, where men are men, Billy (Jamie Bell) slips away each night after boxing practice to learn ballet with the girls. In spite of enormous social pressure and a disapproving father, Billy persists in his dream to become a ballet dancer and emerges triumphant.
This is a story that is less about dance than it is about social interaction. The incredible pressure to be what one is expected to be is pitted elegantly against the unyielding desire to pursue one's ambitions. Also woven into the story are various themes about people who are different and how they handle being on the fringe. The film does an excellent job of developing various characters and making us love them, foibles and all.
My only reservation is that the film overemphasized certain of the human stories (particularly the minors' strike) at the expense of the dance. We see glimpses of Billy's progress as a dancer, but he seems to explode from spastic and gawky to an accomplished tap artist with little transition. Also, there seems to be a disconnect between his exceptional tap skills and his tentative ballet skills, which is so discrepant that it is hard to believe it is the same dancer. While the dance theme is clearly subordinate to the human issues, I felt it should have been more believable and better developed to complete the film.
Not much more could have been asked of Jamie Bell in this role. In his film debut he is mesmerizing, both in his acting and dance performances. Bell always found exactly the right emotion to portray Billy's conflicts, disappointments and stubborn persistence. Bell is the keystone that holds the entire film together and he is the reason it succeeds so completely.
The ensemble supporting Bell is also first rate as is the direction of Stephen Daldry. Daldry gives the story that quaint small town British feel, full of brutal honesty and simple human truths. Daldry's greatest success is in the pure sincerity of the actors' performances making every frame realistic and convincing, and earning him an Oscar nomination for best director in only his second film. Julie Walters, also nominated for best supporting actress, does a fine job as the tough and determined ballet teacher, and Gary Lewis gives a standout performance as Billy's dad.
This is an inspirational film that is just a hair short of perfect. I rated it a 9/10. With a little better development of the dance theme it might have been flawless. Nonetheless, it is one of the most compelling and uplifting films of the year with a positive and upbeat message that is sure to capture your heart.