Brassed Off 2

Rating: Null/10 (4 October 2000)

As with Mark Herman's 1996 drama, Brassed Off, this is another tale of hope set against the backdrop of the 1984 miner's strike.
The eponymous hero is an 11-year-old whose dad and brother are on strike, his gran is losing his marbles and Billy misses his dear departed mum.
While doing a spot of boxing training, Billy becomes entranced by a band of wannabe ballet starlets and is taken under the wing of Julie Walters, on Bafta-winning form yet again.
Okay, she hasn't even been nominated for a gong yet but watch out for the brilliant Brummie next Spring as the winners are announced.
This is a touching tale which may not be the most original story in the world, but boasts great performances from all concerned. Aside from Walters and Patrick Malahide as a snobby London-based ballet VIP, the rest of the cast are unknowns who are bound to go onto bigger things after this.
A great movie which will leave grown men choking back the tears as the young hero makes his inevitable shot at the big time.
9/10