Nice film, but I was not impressed.

Rating: 6/10 (23 April 2001)

A nice film, yes. But I was not impressed, because the film is only touching interesting subjects, not really leading you into them: the coal miners' strike, the family problems, Billy's possible first love for Debbie, Billy's possible homosexuality. It is typical for the film that he does not even dare to clearly express whether Billy is homosexual or not. And I was very surprised that Billy, after all those ballet lessons, started step dancing suddenly. It's a pity that you could not even see Billy dancing after his education in London: the film ends with his first jump.

I think Jamie Bell did not act exceptionally good. Looking at actors, I always see if I forget they are playing - with Jamie I never could. Compare with Dominique Swain as "Lolita", this is how good a young person can act in his/her first film!